OHL Weekend Notebook: October 11, 2022
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice.
67’s lone remaining undefeated team
The Ottawa 67’s are alone at the top, taking home wins over Kitchener and North Bay this past weekend to improve to 4-0, their best start since the 1996-97 season. Saturday’s 4-1 win over North Bay came in head coach Dave Cameron’s 750th career game behind the bench, making him one of 18 coaches in League history to cross that threshold. Sophomore forward Luca Pinelli stayed hot and now sits tied for the League-lead with five goals along with three assists in his four games. Pinelli had the opportunity to play older brother Francesco Pinelli of the Kitchener Rangers for the first time on Friday as the Rangers made a trip to Ottawa.
No meme tonight, just a massive W pic.twitter.com/jF24GddWs8
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) October 9, 2022
Spits rattle off three straight wins
The Windsor Spitfires had a successful Thanksgiving weekend, defeating Sudbury, Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie to bounce back from an overtime loss to start the season. The Spits held off a late Sudbury comeback attempt on Thursday at home before the return of Matthew Maggio from the New York Islanders provided them with a game-breaker. He had a goal in Friday’s 5-4 road win over Saginaw, and tacked on a goal and two assists in Monday’s 3-2 overtime triumph over the Greyhounds. Newly acquired netminder Joey Costanzo made 35 saves in his Spits debut on Monday, earning the win on Thanksgiving.
Big W for Costanzo! His first as a SPITFIRE! #WindsorSpitfires #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/OmyMkUB32o
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) October 10, 2022
Hayes hat trick headlines opening night in Hamilton
The Hamilton Bulldogs raised four banners to the heights of First Ontario Centre and Avery Hayes proceeded to bring down the hats in the home opener as the Dogs defeated the Oshawa Generals 5-3. Hamilton’s second straight win after defeating Owen Sound on Friday, the Bulldogs also had three assists from Logan Morrison and a pair from rookie Marek Vanacker. The Dogs lost the services of reigning GM of the Year Steve Staios late last week as it was announced he’s accepted a player development position with the Edmonton Oilers. They’ve appointed Assistant GM Matt Turek as interim GM in his place.
Opening the home schedule in style 🎩🎩🎩
Avery Hayes brings down the hats, leading the @BulldogsOHL to victory in their home opener 🎥 pic.twitter.com/chU3sUCTXl
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 9, 2022
Colts honour Dale Hawerchuk with banner unveiling
The Barrie Colts honoured the legacy of former head coach Dale Hawerchuk at Sadlon Arena Saturday night. The Colts raised Hawerchuk’s banner to the rafters and unveiled a new mural in a pre-game ceremony prior to their game against the Peterborough Petes.
The entire Barrie Colts organization would like to thank everyone who came out last night to honour our friend, Dale Hawerchuk! 💜🦆
It was truly a special ceremony! #GiddyUp | #HawerchukStrong pic.twitter.com/ItiWdqgt8T
— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) October 9, 2022
Trout flex muscle in Owen Sound
The Mississauga Steelhead won a clash of teams on the CHL Top 10 radar, blanking the Owen Sound Attack on the road 4-0 Saturday night. The Steelheads limited the Bears to just 14 shots as rookies Parker Von Richter and Mason Zebeski scored their first career markers. Mississauga saw the return of NHL prospects Ethan Del Mastro (Chicago), Owen Beck (Montreal) and Luca Del Bel Belluz (Columbus) to their lineup this weekend as they picked up wins over Erie and Owen Sound.
The hometown kid gets his first!🎖
Rookie defenceman Parker Von Richter steps into it and the @OHLSteelheads take the lead.@syngentacanada | @GrainFarmers pic.twitter.com/TL43MF5oPS
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 9, 2022
Mintyukov climbs atop League scoring leaders
Five games in, a defenceman leads the Ontario Hockey League in scoring. Anaheim Ducks first round pick Pavel Mintyukov had multi-point showings in all three of his games this past weekend. The 6-foot-3, 195Ib. defender has a total of five goals, seven assists and 12 points in five games, helping the Spirit start the season with a 3-2 record. Saginaw’s 28 goals are the most in the League thus far, as Mintyukov is joined by teammates Dean Loukus (2-8–10) and Matyas Sapovaliv (5-3–8) among the League leaders.
The @AnaheimDucks first-rounder ties things up at one! 🚨
Pavel Mintyukov moves into a tie atop #OHL scoring with his 10th point tying things up for the @SpiritHockey at home 📽️ pic.twitter.com/GJQ8EiAQmG
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 9, 2022
Tough weekend for IceDogs
Coming off consecutive wins on the road over Flint and Saginaw last weekend, the Niagara IceDogs dropped the following three with losses to Barrie, Oshawa and Guelph. Niagara was outshot in all three contests and surrendered six power play goals along the way. The Dogs have been without captain Landon Cato, along with recently acquired forward Andrew LeBlanc to injuries. Niagara has some time off to prepare for the Flint Firebirds, who visit the Meridian Centre as their four-game home stand continues on Saturday.
More of the same from @OHLIceDogs' Josh Rosenzweig, who flashes the leather to deny Guelph's Zack Sandhu of his first #OHL goal while providing Saturday's @RealCdnSS #SaveoftheNight 🎥 pic.twitter.com/l1gXIRpjhM
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 9, 2022
Knights still looking for first win
The London Knights are off to an 0-3 start, their worst since the 2007-08 season. The green and gold fell Friday night at home to Charlie Schenkel and the Soo Greyhounds by a score of 1-0. They’d drop a 3-1 decision on opening night in Erie a night later. London outshot their opponent in both losses this weekend as they return home Friday night to face a strong Mississauga Steelheads squad. Blueliner Logan Mailloux remains with the Montreal Canadiens as he works his way back from an injury. The Knights are hopeful he’ll be sent back for the season in the coming days. First round draft pick Luca Testa made his OHL debut on Saturday in Erie.
Another shot at it tonight 👍 pic.twitter.com/d2HpqqZ3FB
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) October 8, 2022
Rangers go winless on Eastern swing
The Kitchener Rangers dropped decisions in Ottawa and Kingston over the weekend, surrendering five goals in each loss. The 0-4 start marks the first time the Rangers have lost their first four since 1972-73, however the Rangers were in both games this past weekend, tied with Ottawa until midway through the second period and leading Kingston 2-1 after the opening frame. The Rangers are back home for a pair of contests this weekend, hosting Owen Sound on Friday and Flint on Sunday.
Back to it on Friday at home.
SHOTS:
KIT: 29
KGN: 28#60YearsOfRangers I #RTown pic.twitter.com/SqSt04J5za— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) October 9, 2022
