CALGARY, Alberta (November 17, 2014) – The Portage Terriers of the MJHL, on the strength of a 9-game winning streak, have retaken the top spot in the CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings. Nearly all ten leagues across Canada are tightening up, and the parity in many leagues is becoming very evident.
The Penticton Vees have since recovered from a few off nights, and the Nanaimo Clippers have strung together a solid four-game winning streak. It is interesting to note that there are twelve teams within ten points of the Prince George Spruce Kings for third overall in the BCHL. In Alberta, the Spruce Grove Saints are clinging by a single point lead over the Camrose Kodiaks, but the Kods still have three games in hand.
The SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers have a solid lead in the overall standings, ahead of the Melfort Mustangs, but eight teams in the 12-team league have winning records, so it is shaping up to be a dog fight for sure the rest of the regular season.
The Portage Terriers remain comfortably atop the overall MJHL standings, while the Winkler Flyers and the Winnipeg Blues are in a battle for second place, with the Blues holding a four-game advantage in games to be played. This could quickly eliminate the Flyers current advantage.
In the SIJHL, the Fort Frances Lakers have jumped ahead of a suddenly stumbling Thunder Bay North Stars, while in the NOJHL, the surging Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are in a near dead heat with the Soo Thunderbirds – on top of the standings by one point, but the Thunderbirds do hold a one game in hand advantage.
The Trenton Golden Hawks and the Aurora Tigers of the OJHL are separated by just two points for the overall lead in the standings. Once again the East Division is proving to be ultra-competitive with the Cobourg Cougars, Whitby Fury and Kingston Voyageurs all within striking distance of the Golden Hawks.
The CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians and the Ottawa Jr ‘A’ Senators remain on top of the Robinson Division and the Yzerman Division respectively. While the Cougars de Sherbrooke continue to rule the standings of the LHJQ. In the MHL, the Woodstock Slammers have a strong grip on first place in that league, but are seeing the Miramichi Timberwolves and Dieppe Commandos start to close in with their strong play.
Top 20 Rankings
- Portage Terriers (MJHL) (2)
- Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (1)
- Penticton Vees (BCHL) (3)
- Woodstock Slammers (MHL) (7)
- Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (4)
- Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) (5)
- Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (6)
- Aurora Tigers (OJHL) (8)
- Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) (9)
- Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) (11)
- Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) (17)
- Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) (12)
- Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (10)
- Cougars de Sherbrooke (LHJQ) (16)
- Winnipeg Blues (MJHL) (19)
- Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) (NR)
- Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (18)
- Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (20)
- Dieppe Commandos (MHL) (NR)
- Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (NR)
Honourable Mention: Battleford North Stars (SJHL), Winkler Flyers (MJHL), Cobourg Cougars (OJHL), Georgetown Raiders (OJHL), Titan de Princeville (LHJQ)
