OHL This Week: March 24 to 27, 2022
Eighteen OHL players had quite a time in Kitchener at the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Now we’re right back to the OHL action on a four-game Thursday night. Here’s what’s happening across the League.
Team White wins 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game by score of 3-1:
Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs offered up early heroics for Team Red on Wednesday at the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game but it was Team White who claimed victory by the final buzzer in coming away with a 3-1 win. Read more
Top OHL performers in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Sport Testing Combine:
Vinzenz Rohrer, David Goyette, Isaiah George, Shane Wright and Danny Zhilkin were the OHL’s top performers in the Sport Testing Combine. Read more
Bulldogs and Battalion included in Week 21 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Hamilton Bulldogs and North Bay Battalion are included in the Week 21 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings while the Windsor Spitfires earn an honourable mention. Read more
Spitfires’ Maggio named OHL Player of the Week:
Windsor Spitfires forward Matthew Maggio is the OHL Player of the Week, recording three goals, seven assists and 10 points. Read more
Bulldogs’ Costantini named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Marco Costantini of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, going 3-0 with a 0.67 goals-against average, .973 save percentage and one shutout. Read more
Knights’ Stranges leads the way in OHL Plays of the Week:
See some gorgeous goals in the latest instalment of OHL Plays of the Week, with appearances from Guelph’s Ben McFarlane, Sarnia’s Nolan Dann, Sudbury’s David Goyette, North Bay’s Mitchell Russell and London’s Antonio Stranges. Watch
Rolling out the stops in OHL Saves of the Week:
Let’s see some saves! This week we’ve got Windsor’s Matt Onuska, Niagara’s Josh Rosenzweig, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons, Owen Sound’s Corbin Votary, Erie’s Nolan Lalonde, Oshawa’s Patrick Leaver, Flint’s Nathaniel Day, Sarnia’s Anson Thornton, Ottawa’s Will Cranley and Mississauga’s Joe Ranger. Watch
Road to the OHL Cup – Four ALLIANCE teams clinch spots:
The Brantford 99ers, London Jr. Knights, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and Huron-Perth Lakers will compete in the 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
Flyers assign Foerster to Colts:
The Philadelphia Flyers have assigned 20-year-old forward Tyson Foerster to the Barrie Colts for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. Read more
OHL Mourns the Loss of Jean Potvin:
The Ontario Hockey League is saddened by news of the passing of former Ottawa 67’s defenceman and long-time NHL blueliner Jean Potvin, who died last week in Weston, Florida at the age of 72. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Spitfires support Crime Stoppers: The Windsor Spitfires will hold their “Chuck-A-Puck” event on March 24th against Saginaw, where fans will be able to throw a purchased puck onto the ice during the second intermission. All purchased puck proceeds will go towards the Windsor and Essex Crime Stoppers.
Storm shut out hunger on Friday: The Guelph Storm will host their first Shutout Out Hunger game for Chalmers on Friday, March 25th as they take on the Kitchener Rangers. The Storm ask that fans bring non-perishable goods to the game.
Otters host First Responders Night Saturday, Sensory Friendly Night on Sunday: The Erie Otters will be hosting their free “Touch-a-Truck” event on Saturday as part of First Responders Night at Erie Insurance Arena. The Otters will also be wearing specialty warmup jerseys for their Sensory Friendly game this Sunday. All proceeds from the game will be going towards the Autism Society of NWPA. A live-auction of the jerseys will be held post-game.
Attack to hold #HockeyFightsCancer night on Saturday: The Attack will be painting the Bayshore lavender for their second edition of #HockeyFightsCancer Night on Saturday, March 24th. The Attack will wear specially designed lavender jerseys that sport the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer logo. The night will include a a bucket pass, I Fight For sign sales, chuck-a-puck, an online jersey auction and other prize contests. More information at attackhockey.com
Peterborough hosts PWHPA action on Saturday: An all-female cast of broadcasters will carry the action on Saturday in Peterborough, calling the first-ever Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association regional game on Saturday at 7:05pm. Team Sonnet takes on Team Harvey’s and the crew of Katrina Squazzin, Meaghan Roy and Julia Tocheri will be behind the mic. Full details at gopetesgo.com
Sunday Funday in Kingston: The Kingston Frontenacs will be hosting their Sunday Funday event against the Petes on March 27th. The event is packed full of family fun that will feature a magic show, inflatables, games, face painting, gaming stations and more.
Generals host their second annual Pride Night: The Oshawa Generals announced that they will be hosting their second annual Pride Night on Tuesday, March 29th against the Ottawa 67’s. A special guest from Canada’s Drag Race will be in attendance as the Generals will be rocking new helmet decals, a Pride x hockey t-shirt, as well as special game pucks.
Sting look to sign a youth in the community: The Sarnia Sting are looking for a youth in their community that demonstrates a level of leadership, perseverance and kindness deserving of the opportunity to be signed by the Sarnia Sting for a day. More information at sarniasting.com
ALUMNI NOTES:
Hodgson to make NHL debut on Thursday: Former Erie Otters, Sarnia Sting and Saginaw Spirit forward Hayden Hodgson is set to make his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night in St. Louis. The 26-year-old from Leamington, Ont. is enjoying a career year in the AHL, recording 29 points (18-11–29) in 44 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Hodgson played 294 career regular season games between 2012-17, graduating with 87 goals, 70 assists and 157 points. He’s spent much of his pro career in the ECHL after going undrafted.
Crouse named NHL’s Third Star of the Week: Kingston Frontenacs graduate Lawson Crouse led the NHL with five goals and ranked third with seven points (5-2—7) to help the Arizona Coyotes split their four outings. The 24-year-old Mt. Brydges, Ont., native has established career highs in goals (20), assists (tied; 14) and points (34) through 61 total appearances this season, ranking second on Arizona in goals and fifth in points. He played three seasons in Kingston from 2013-16, being selected 11th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Sandlak makes NHL officiating debut: OHL graduate Carter Sandlak made his NHL officiating debut on Tuesday night in Seattle, wearing the bands as a referee in a game between the host Kraken and visiting Arizona Coyotes. Sandlak, who wears #47, worked alongside referee Kendrick Nicholson and linesmen Ryan Galloway and Tyson Baker, who is also a former OHL official. The 28-year-old from London, Ont. played five OHL seasons between Guelph, Belleville and Plymouth, playing in 272 regular season games to compile 59 goals, 63 assists and 122 points. He played four pro seasons largely spent in the ECHL. He’s the son of London Knights graduate and former NHL forward Jim Sandlak.
Douglas signs NHL contract with Maple Leafs: Windsor Spitfires graduate Curtis Douglas has signed a two-year entry-level NHL contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old who stands 6-foot-8 and 240Ib. has 27 points (8-19–27) over 51 AHL contests with the Toronto Marlies this season. He was a fourth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2018 but went unsigned. Douglas played four OHL seasons between Barrie and Windsor from 2016-20.
Peressini named ECHL Goaltender of the Week: Kingston Frontenacs graduate Luke Peressini of the Allen Americans is the ECHL Goaltender of the Week, going 3-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in four appearances last week. The Nobleton, Ont. native is 8-4 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in 14 games this season. The 27-year-old played three seasons in Kingston from 2013-16 before attending Western University where he played for the Mustangs men’s hockey team from 2016-20. He started the season with the Ryerson Rams men’s hockey program prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, turning pro in the second half.
Battalion graduate Rose commits to Waterloo: North Bay Battalion graduate Simon Rose has committed to the University of Waterloo men’s hockey program for 2022-23. Read more
KEY MATCHUPS:
Hamilton Bulldogs at North Bay Battalion
Thursday March 24 – 7:00pm
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference rumble at the Gardens on Thursday as the first place Hamilton Bulldogs take on the North Bay Battalion, who have won their last seven games. The Dogs are on a three-game run, standing as the lone OHL team to win 40 games this season. North Bay leads Mississauga by two points for first place in the Central Division, gathering wins in 16 of their last 18 outings. North Bay has won two of three against Hamilton this season, with the Bulldogs taking the last encounter on Feb. 25th by a score of 7-2. Hamilton comes in as the third-ranked team in the CHL while North Bay is eighth in the country.
Owen Sound Attack at London Knights
Friday March 25 – 7:30pm
The ninth meeting of the season between the two Midwest Division opponents sees the Knights and Attack headed in different directions of late, with the Bears collecting at least a point in 13 straight games while the Knights have played .500 hockey over their last 10. London has owned Owen Sound so far this season, going 8-0 against the Attack, but with the Bears playing some of their best hockey of the season, is their first win against London just around the corner? The Attack have some fun rookies to keep tabs on in 20+ goal scorers Cedrick Guindon, Servac Petrovsky and Colby Barlow. The Knights have been without star netminder Brett Brochu since he went down with an injury on Mar. 8th that required minor surgery.
Windsor Spitfires at Soo Greyhounds
Saturday (7:07pm) & Sunday (2:07pm)
A weekend double shot in Sault Ste. Marie sees the host Greyhounds taking on the visiting Windsor Spitfires in a battle for top spot in the West Division. The Spits lead the Hounds by a point entering Thursday’s action against Saginaw, having defeated Sault Ste. Marie by a score of 7-3 back on Mar. 5th in Windsor. The Spitfires made a similar trip up to the Soo back in January, taking back-to-back decisions over the Greyhounds on Jan. 8th and 9th. Wyatt Johnston continues to lead the OHL in scoring with 104 points (36-68–104) while Sault Ste. Marie’s Rory Kerins trails close behind with 98 (36-62–98).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Thursday March 24:
Erie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Hamilton at North Bay – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Windsor – 7:30pm
Friday March 25:
Kingston at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Sarnia – 7:05pm
Hamilton at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Kitchener at Guelph – 7:30pm
Owen Sound at London – 7:30pm
Barrie at Oshawa – 7:35pm
Saturday March 26:
Kitchener at London – 4:00pm
Guelph at Erie – 7:00pm
Saginaw at Flint – 7:00pm
Barrie at Kingston – 7:00pm
North Bay at Niagara – 7:00pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Sarnia at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
Sunday March 27:
Niagara at Erie – 2:00pm
Peterborough at Kingston – 2:00pm
Flint at Kitchener – 2:00pm
North Bay at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Barrie at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Owen Sound at Sarnia – 2:05pm
Windsor at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Hamilton at Oshawa – 6:05pm
London at Guelph – 7:00pm
