Machesney tops CSB goalie rankings

BRAMPTON, Ont. – Battalion rookie Daren Machesney is rated No. 1 among Ontario Hockey League goaltenders in preliminary rankings by the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau for the next Entry Draft.rrMachesney tops the group of five OHL goaltenders in the rankings released Tuesday. Second through fifth are Kevin Lalande of the Belleville Bulls, Matthew Spezza of the Kingston Frontenacs, Kevin Beech of the Sudbury Wolves and Anthony Guadagnolo of the Ottawa 67’s.rrIt’s a good accomplishment and it’s a good stepping stone, but that’s all it is,” said Machesney, who was chosen in the 13th round of the 2002 OHL Priority Selection.rrIt’s been tough to get to the top, and it’ll be tougher to stay here. I have my work cut out for me if I want to become one of the top goalies in the Canadian Hockey League. I always want to look ahead, and I can’t worry about the guys behind me. I need to keep improving on the way I’ve been playing.”rrMachesney, a resident of Lambeth, Ont., who turns 18 on Dec. 13, has appeared in 14 games this season, compiling a won-lost-tied record of 7-5-1 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a save percentage of .914.rrI’ve been happy to get a chance to play as much as I have, and I think I’ve made the most of it,” he said.rrMachesney appeared in all three of the Battalion’s games last week, stopping 24 shots in a 6-3 win over the visiting Saginaw Spirit on Thursday night and 25 shots in relief of injured starter Kevin Couture in a 3-2 road loss to the Owen Sound Attack on Saturday night. Machesney made 29 saves in a 4-1 home-ice win Sunday over the Mississauga IceDogs.rrMachesney made five starts for the Battalion last season when recalled from the Newmarket Hurricanes of the Provincial Junior A League. He was named rookie of the year in the Provincial League’s North Conference.rrNo Battalion skaters are among the top 25 such OHL players in the preliminary rankings, who are led by Sudbury right winger Benoit Pouliot.rrThe timing of the next NHL Entry Draft is in doubt because of the current lockout. The draft is part of any collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and its players’ union.r