Spitfires’ Mitchell named Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week
(Toronto) The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Dale Mitchell of the Windsor Spitfires is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 5. Mitchell scored five goals and four assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.
Mitchell and the Spitfires began their second round playoff series against the Plymouth Whalers Thursday night in Windsor. Mitchell opened the scoring on the power play early in the first period and added a second period goal before the Whalers took control and grabbed the game one victory 6-3. Mitchell was named second star in the loss. The Spitfires showed their offensive strengths Saturday night in game two with an 8-2 win. Mitchell helped grabbed the early lead with assists on the first two goals and scored the game-winner on the power play early in the second. Mitchell had his best game of the week Sunday as first star with four points with two goals and two assists in the 8-1 win. The Spitfires now lead the second round best-of-seven playoff series 2-1.
Mitchell, a 19-year-old from Mississauga, ON, is in his fourth OHL season and first with the Spitfires after playing three years with the Oshawa Generals. He scored 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 points in 66 games this season. He currently leads the league with nine playoff goals in seven games and is ranked second overall with 16 points. Mitchell was selected in the third round, 74th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Also considered for the award this week from the Windsor Spitfires is forward Andrei Loktionov. After recording nine points in three games this week, he currently leads the OHL in playoff scoring with 17 points. His best game was Saturday with two goals and three assists as second star of the 8-2 win. Luke Pither of the Belleville Bulls was named first star of the game twice in four games. He had two four-point games including Monday in the 6-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves with four assists and Thursday in the 4-3 overtime win against the Niagara IceDogs with two goals and two assists. In goal, rookie JP Anderson of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors has kept their second round series close against the Brampton Battalion posting a 2.01 goals-against-average and a .948 save percentage in three games.