OHL Weekend Notebook: Jan. 4, 2022
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice.
Steelheads on top
The Mississauga Steelheads are among the hottest teams in the OHL, climbing to top spot in the overall standings with wins over North Bay and Mississauga last week. The Trout had a pair of standout performers in OHL Player of the Week James Hardie who put up six points (3-3–6) while OHL Goaltender of the Week Joe Ranger was in the crease for both wins. Ranger leads the OHL with a 1.93 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. He’s won seven of his last eight outings. Chicago Blackhawks prospect and captain Ethan Del Mastro was named the OHL Defenceman of the Month with 11 assists in nine games.
A pass like that will get you #BestOfOHL honours ????@NHLBlackhawks prospect Ethan Del Mastro (@EthanDelmastro) feeds James Hardie (@Jamehardie14) to help the @OHLSteelheads earn two points Wednesday night ???? pic.twitter.com/ZprLzdNous
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2021
Firebirds earn first win of 2022
The Flint Firebirds recorded the OHL’s first victory of the 2022 calendar year on Saturday, defeating the rival Saginaw Spirit 5-2 behind 33 saves from goaltender Luke Cavallin. The Firebirds have points in their last three games, climbing to within two points of second place Windsor in the West Division. First-year forward Coulson Pitre was named the OHL Rookie of the Month for December with 13 points (9-4–13) in eight December contests.
First-year @FlintFirebirds forward Coulson Pitre is the #OHL Rookie of the Month for December with 13 points in nine games.
DETAILS ????: https://t.co/AhoZdLTtZH pic.twitter.com/GOVk8EXNpl
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 4, 2022
Kerins red hot for Greyhounds
Calgary Flames prospect Rory Kerins became the OHL’s fourth 50-point scorer this past weekend as he accumulated seven points (4-3–7) over three contests last week. Now fourth in League scoring, Kerins has joined OHL goal-scoring leader Tye Kartye in helping the West Division-leading Greyhounds put up the League’s top power play unit at 30.5%.
#OHLThreeStars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rory Kerins became the fourth #OHL Player to reach 50 points while @OHLHoundPower teammate Tanner Dickinson recorded his 8th multi-point game of the season and @Sudbury_Wolves netminder Jonathan Lemaire made a career-high 47 saves. #GameON pic.twitter.com/nFMhwfQW4S
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 2, 2022
Otters end 2021 on a high note
The Erie Otters sit at the bottom of the Western Conference, but they finished-off 2021 in successful fashion with back-to-back wins. The Otters defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 7-2 on the road Thursday night as Noah Sedore recorded a career-high four points and goaltender Nolan Lalonde made 28 saves.
HIGHLIGHTS: A career four-point night for @NoahSedore74 lead the way as we scored a touchdown on Hamilton.
Six different Otters scored, and we closed out 2021 with back-to-back W’s. #OttersNation???? pic.twitter.com/P34nmohrCQ
— Erie Otters ???? (@ErieOtters) December 31, 2021
Oke takes over in Saginaw crease, Sapovaliv steady
Rookie netminder Andrew Oke saw three consecutive starts for the Saginaw Spirit last week with New York Islanders prospect Tristan Lennox out of the lineup with a non-Covid related illness. The rookie handled himself well, going 2-1-0-0 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. Oke made 36 saves on Wednesday as Saginaw defeated Flint 4-3 in a shootout, and turned aside 25 shots on Thursday as the Spirit defeated the Soo Greyhounds 2-1. Another impressive youngster for the Spirit, 2022 NHL Draft prospect Matyas Sapovaliv is riding a current five-game point streak, reaching 10 goals on the season.
Cool, calm and collected ????
Andrew Oke (@AndrewOke29) was dialled in for @SpiritHockey on Thursday, earning first star honours to close out 2021 with a win ???? pic.twitter.com/iEGyxkzUPM
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) December 31, 2021
