Ultimate Drivers Weekend Preview: Dress to Impress
For the Kids
The Brampton Steelheads (29-20-10-0) have an early start to the week when they host the Oshawa Generals (36-18-4-2) for their School Day Game presented by Attridge. It will be the fourth and final matchup between the Trout and Gens this season. So far, Brampton leads the season series with a two-and-one record. With both clubs being premier contenders, every game has been tight with each game being decided by one or two goals. The playoffs are fast approaching, and the Steelheads will look to secure the season series victory and build confidence against a possible postseason matchup.
The Steelheads found success against the Generals by shutting down their star players. This season Beckett Sennecke, Calum Ritchie, Luca Marrelli, and Colby Barlow have combined for 269 points, but against Brampton, they have only tallied seven. The Steelheads’ defensive effort and penalty kill have been the key reasons why. Of their 269 points, 94 of those have come on the man advantage with the Generals’ power play clicking at just under 24%. Through three games against the Trout, Oshawa has only recorded one power-play goal. If Brampton’s penalty kill can remain red-hot, they will have a much better chance of defeating the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
The last meeting with the Gens was a memorable one for the Steelheads’ captain. In the first period, on an assist of a Konnor Smith goal, Porter Martone set a new franchise record for the most points in a single season with 83. Later, in the third period, Martone followed that up by breaking a new record for the most assists in a single season with 56. Since breaking the record, Porter has continued his excellent season and inflated his totals to 59 assists and 89 points. With nine games left in the season, the Steelheads’ captain will look to further distance himself in the Trout record books, starting with Wednesday’s faceoff with Oshawa.
Testing the Troops
The Steelheads have a quick break Thursday before returning to action Friday to host the North Bay Battalion (23-31-5-0). It will be the sixth and final matchup of the series between Central Division rivals. Of the five previous games, Brampton secured victory in three. There has been no shortage of action between these clubs this season, with three of the five matchups needing overtime to decide a winner. With both Brampton and North Bay battling for playoff position, it will surely be another thrilling matchup.
On Friday night, the Steelheads will debut their CHL Jersey Contest jerseys presented by Real Canadian Superstore, who have partnered with the Canadian Hockey League for the fourth year for the #YourTeamYourJersey contest that encouraged fans to design a jersey for their team. These specialty jerseys, which the players will be wearing on Friday, are now up for auction, with all proceeds supporting the President’s Choice Children’s Charity in the fight against childhood hunger. Don’t miss your chance to own a unique piece of the game while making a difference—place your bid here. Additionally, the rock cover band Injunction will be playing live before the game and during intermission, bringing high-energy covers to keep the crowd fired up.
The Battalion cannot let any games go to waste, as they sit just one point above the Ottawa 67s in a race for the final playoff spot. Neither club has gained much ground, with North Bay and Ottawa each recording five wins in their last ten games. With the 67s in a two-game split with Peterborough this weekend, the Battalion will need to bring their A-game against the Trout. To do so they will look for a stable performance in the crease. With North Bay sitting second last in goals for, keeping the puck out of their net will be a necessity. In the last two games of the series, North Bay has done well allowing just two goals per game, securing three of a possible four points. With all the firepower on the Brampton offence, the Trout will look to break this streak.
It has been a busy past week for Steelheads’ defender Finn Harding. The Toronto native joined Porter Martone in the record books on Friday when he recorded his 48th assist of the season, setting a new record for the most assists in a single season as a defenceman. On Monday, Harding’s big week continued when the Pittsburgh Penguins announced the defenceman’s signing of a three-year entry-level contract starting next year. After being selected in the seventh round of last year’s draft, the do-it-all defenceman broke out this season, nearly doubling his point total while sporting an impressive +44 rating. The Steelheads will look to Harding to spark the offence from the blue line in order to break through the North Bay defence.
It will surely be another exciting battle, so grab your tickets here!
