OHL Power Rankings: Nov. 11, 2024
The London Knights are right back where they started, but the second and third-ranked Windsor Spitfires and Kitchener Rangers are a whole lot higher than they were at the start of the season. Let’s dive right in!
Who’s up:
London Knights – up one spot to #1 this week
The Knights are back where they started, defeating Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Guelph to improve to 13-4 on the season. Sam Dickinson had another outstanding week on the blueline with eight points (4-4–8) over three games while Easton Cowan’s run of consecutive regular season games with a point keeps going, reaching 49. The Knights had a new addition on Sunday, adding Ottawa Senators prospect Blake Montgomery from the USHL’s Lincoln Stars.
Niagara IceDogs – up one spot to #7 this week
The IceDogs rebounded from a 9-3 loss to Erie by defeating both Sarnia and Brantford, continuing to lead the Central Division with a record of 13-5. Ryan Roobroeck continues to play well, scoring a hat-trick with the late game-winner in a 4-3 victory over Sarnia on Friday night. Saturday’s win over Brantford snapped a lengthy drought against the Bulldogs that dates back to Nov. 10, 2019.
Oshawa Generals – up one spot to #8 this week
The Generals handed the Kitchener Rangers their first regulation loss in 16 games on Sunday night. Calum Ritchie has a point in all seven games since returning from the Colorado Avalanche, recording two goals and an assist on Sunday. The Generals also defeated Peterborough last week while dropping a 2-1 decision in Kingston on Friday.
Kingston Frontenacs – up three spots to #9 this week
The Frontenacs are into the top half of the league, leading the East Division with a record of 10-5-4-0. After a 4-2 loss to Ottawa, the Fronts proceeded to beat the Oshawa Generals 2-1 before a commanding 8-2 triumph over the Brampton Steelheads on Saturday. Gage Heyes scored his first OHL hat-trick in the win over Brampton while Cedrick Guindon tallied four points (1-3–4). The Frontenacs are in Ottawa for a school day game on Wednesday.
Ottawa 67’s – up two spots to #13 this week
The 67’s beat Kingston and Brampton last week, with captain Luca Pinelli riding a five-game goal-scoring streak. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect has put together back-to-back three-point efforts for the Barber Poles, who have started to turn things around of late, with points in seven of their last 10. Brady Stonehouse rejoined the 67’s for the weekend, putting them in a scenario with four overagers as he’s joined by goaltender Collin MacKenzie, blueliner Matthew Mayich and forward Will Gerrior.
Guelph Storm – up four spots to #14 this week
The Storm surged up the list with a pair of wins followed by a valiant effort, losing 8-7 to the London Knights on Sunday. Jett Luchanko’s return as energized the Storm, who beat Brantford 4-1 on Wednesday before getting the better of the Erie Otters by a score of 7-4 at home on Friday. The Storm weren’t able to earn a point, but did get a four-goal performance from Max Namestnikov in Sunday’s loss to London.
Sudbury Wolves – up one spot to #15 this week
The Wolves lost back-to-back games against Barrie before rounding-out the weekend with a 3-1 road win over Owen Sound on Sunday. Nate Krawchuk appears to be getting a bulk of the playing time in the crease in recent weeks, posting a solid 2.56 goals-against average and .921 save percentage over 11 appearances.
Owen Sound Attack – up one spot to #16 this week
A little tip of the cap to the Bears, who though their 5-9-2-2 record is nothing to get excited about, have been involved in a lot of tight games in recent weeks. Owen Sound beat both Sarnia and Kitchener last week, handing the mighty Rangers a 5-4 loss in overtime on a game-winner from Sam McCue. After five straight at home, the Attack hit the road in the East Division next weekend.
Who’s down:
Windsor Spitfires – down one spot to #2 this week
The Spits hit a bit of a wall, losing to both North Bay and Saginaw before taking care of the Peterborough Petes by a score of 4-1 on Sunday. The Spitfires are off to North Bay, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie next weekend.
Brampton Steelheads – down four spots to #11 this week
The Steelheads came into the season with much fanfare, but the results haven’t been there in the standings of late. Brampton lost to Ottawa, Kingston and Brantford last week, falling to the bottom of the Central Division with a record of 8-8-1-0. They’ve been without gritty forward Angus MacDonell since Oct. 25th while Lucas Karmiris didn’t play last week. Despite considerable star power, Brampton’s power play is down at 14th overall in the league entering a fresh week of competition.
Soo Greyhounds – down one spot to #1 this week
The Hounds drop one spot following consecutive losses to London and Kitchener before finishing strong with a 6-2 win in Flint on Saturday. Utah prospects Noel Nordh and Owen Allard have been a nice additions, with Nordh putting up 10 points (3-7–10) through seven games while Allard has seven (3-4–7) through six.
Sarnia Sting – down four spots and off the list this week
The Sting went 0-3, losing to Owen Sound, Niagara and Erie. Blueliner Mitch Young sits atop Sarnia’s offensive producers with 15 points (2-13–15) over 20 games. The Sting haven’t had one player step up and lead the way offensively, relying moreso on a by-committee approach this season, which has led to mixed results and a 7-9-1-3 mark through a league-leading 20 games.
Flint Firebirds – down three spots and off the list this week
The Firebirds defeated the last place Peterborough Petes 4-1 before lopsided losses to division rivals Sault Ste. Marie and Saginaw. This Firebirds team, with no shortage of veterans, is probably capable of more than their current standing, but those results remain to be seen as they’ve scored a Western Conference-low 49 goals through 18 contests. Newcomer Hayden Reid scored his first OHL marker on Sunday.
