WHL XX Journal: Great Scott, Raiders run & Leschyshyn excelling as leader for Pats
If you ask me, it’s pretty difficult to top a goal scored by a goaltender.
Yeah, I’ve seen all the arguments about how easy it is to shoot a puck into an empty net. But I challenge all you armchair goal scorers to rifle a puck from below the goal line over the heads of the opposition using a goalie stick while wearing a catching mitt and blocker. We’ve yet to recognize the pressure of an oncoming forecheck.
Go ahead. Go and try right now. I’ll let you get back to me.
//endrant
Yes, we continue to talk about the Prince Albert Raiders, but we’ve got some other fun facts and numbers for you this week, working our way from Brandon to Moose Jaw to Victoria and Spokane.
In particular, Regina Pats captain Jake Leschyshyn is quietly having an outstanding season. For the first time without the likes of Sam Steel or Adam Brooks, Leschyshyn is the veteran in the Queen City and he is having an impact.
There’s that plus a little bit of everything in between. Some good, some bad (penalties) and some sad.
All in all, it seems fitting as we draw near the end of November.
1. Let’s start with the obvious – it isn’t all that often you see a goaltender find the back of the net.
Prince Albert Raiders puckstopper Ian Scott did just that last Friday night, sending a soaring puck from below his own goal line over the heads of the Tri-City Americans and into a gaping empty net at the opposite end of the rink.
It was, of course, Scott’s first career WHL goal.
Clearly, this is something that has been on the mind of the Raiders netminder, as he had taken another crack at an empty net earlier in the week, instead sailing the rubber into the low-hanging scoreboard.
Congratulations to Ian, and here’s hoping we see a few more of these in the games to come!
???? He shoots, he scores! ????@MapleLeafs prospect @IceScott99 scores his first career WHL goal tonight for the @PARaidersHockey! pic.twitter.com/NeGYJgectN
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 17, 2018
2. On the subject of goaltender goals, the last WHL netminder to electrify the crowd with his scoring prowess was Edmonton Oilers prospect Stuart Skinner – then of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The call by Hurricanes play-by-play voice Dustin Forbes was heard around the world back in March 2016.
Scott and Skinner are not the only goaltenders to score in WHL history. They are joined by:
Olaf Kolzig, Tri-City Americans vs. Seattle Thunderbirds – November 29, 1989
Chris Osgood, Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Swift Current Broncos – January 3, 1991
Jeff Calvert, Tacoma Rockets vs. Moose Jaw Warriors – December 29, 1992
Jason Clague, Red Deer Rebels vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes – March 28, 1994 (playoffs)
Jordan McLaughlin, Prince George Cougars vs. Vancouver Giants – March 5, 2003
Chris Driedger, Calgary Hitmen vs. Kootenay ICE – February 1, 2014
3. The Prince Albert Raiders continue to be the talk of both the Western Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League, and it isn’t solely because of Scott’s goal scoring.
Heading into this weekend, the Raiders find themselves in the midst of a 14-game winning streak, sitting atop the CHL at 21-1-0-0.
For comparison’s sake, the 1978-79 Brandon Wheat Kings own the longest undefeated streak in WHL history, going 29 games without a loss to open the campaign. This, of course, was back in the day when ties were still a thing.
The ’78-79 Wheat Kings won 10 games to kick start their streak before then registering a tie in game 11 to land at 10-0-1. From there, Brandon rattled off another seven wins before collecting another tie, leaving them at 17-0-2 through 19 contests. After another four-game run, the Wheat Kings deadlocked for a third time to move to 21-0-3.
Two wins followed by two more ties then one final victory would round out the Wheat Kings run (24-0-5) as they were defeated in their 30th game of the season.
Regardless, at no point during that historic run did the Wheat Kings log more than 10 consecutive victories. What fans in Prince Albert and across the Western Hockey League are witnessing is nothing short of incredible.
The Raiders will look to extend their run this weekend when they visit the Medicine Hat Tigers (Friday at 7:30 p.m. MT) and Kootenay ICE (Saturday at 7 p.m. MT).
4. That same ’78-79 Wheat Kings squad went on to enter the record book as the most successful WHL team in history, amassing 125 points over 72 games with a record of 58-5-9.
The winningest team in WHL history is the 1980-81 Victoria Cougars, which claimed 60 triumphs and 121 points on the strength of a 60-11-1 record.
There’s a long ways to go, but the further we get into this remarkable Raiders run, the more fun it becomes to fantasize about some of these previously impressive marks falling.
5. There’s quite the back-and-forth happening atop the WHL scoring charts, featuring Brett Leason of the Raiders and Trey Fix-Wolansky of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Heading into Friday, Fix-Wolansky leads the WHL in scoring with 48 points (14G-34A) in 25 games, while Leason trails one point back with 22 goals and 25 assists in 22 outings.
While the ongoing race is exciting enough, what might be more impressive the rate of production we’re seeing from these two.
As it stands, Fix-Wolansky is producing at a rate of 1.92 points per game, which has him on pace to register 131 points over the course of the WHL’s now-reduced 68-game schedule. The last time a WHL scorer reached the 130-point plateau was back in 2016-17 when both Sam Steel (131 points) and Adam Brooks (130 points) of the Regina Pats reached the mark over the course of a 72-game season. That year, both Steel and Brooks only skated in 66 contests.
Meanwhile, Leason is finding the scoresheet at a rate of 2.14 points per game, having played three fewer contests than Fix-Wolanksy. That rate of production has the product of Calgary on pace to reach 146 points on the season.
The last time a WHL player surpassed 140 points was in 1995-96 when Mark Deyell of the Saskatoon Blades posted 159 points (61G-98A) in 69 games. That season saw three players exceed the 140-point plateau, including Frank Banham of the Blades with 152 points (83G-69A) in 72 games and Hnat Domenichelli of the Kamloops Blazers with 148 points (59G-89A) in 62 games.
No matter how you slice it, both Leason and Fix-Wolanksy are off to tremendous starts. Given the fact Jayden Halbgewachs became the first player to hit the 70-goal plateau in nearly 20 years last season, who is to say we won’t see Leason and Fix-Wolansky finish the 2018-19 campaign with similarly eye-popping numbers.
When #HockeyTwitter becomes a thing.
Thanks, @TwitterSports! ???????? pic.twitter.com/EB8rS3QegO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 23, 2018
6. Not to be Captain Obvious here, but taking penalties typically doesn’t translate into success.
Roughly one third of the way through the WHL’s regular season schedule and the most penalized Clubs include Seattle (367 PIM), Kelowna (362), Portland (359) and Regina (349).
Seattle currently sits 18th in the WHL with a record of 8-10-3-0. The Thunderbirds penalty kill is one of the more successful in the league, sitting seventh at 80.2 per cent.
Kelowna ranks 16th with a standing of 10-13-1-0. The Rockets penalty kill is also 16th with a kill rate of 75.9 per cent.
Portland bucks the trend, sitting seventh in the overall WHL standings with a record of 13-8-0-2. Key within this is the Winterhawks fifth-ranked penalty kill, which quiets opponent man advantages 83 per cent of the time.
Regina rolls in at 21st in the WHL with a record of 8-16-0-0. The Pats penalty kill also sits 21st with a 69.8 per cent kill rate.
7. A bright spot for the Pats, and it should come as no surprise, is the play of Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jake Leschyshyn.
Previously known as one of the best two-way forwards in the WHL, Leschyshyn found himself tasked with shutting down the best of the opposition, all while entrenched behind the likes of Sam Steel and Adam Brooks in Regina.
With both Brooks and Steel now graduated to the professional ranks, Leschyshyn has taken the reins in the Queen City and is quietly proving he knows how to get things done offensively as well.
The 19-year-old product of Saskatoon set a previous career high with 40 points (17G-23A) in 47 games during the 2016-17 season. He followed up by matching that mark with 18 goals and 22 assists in 64 contests last season.
Fast-forward to 2018-19 and the Pats captain has nearly reached the 40-point plateau, having already collected 32 points (16G-16A) in only 23 outings.
Leschyshyn is currently in the midst of a 12-game point-scoring streak that has seen him amass 21 points since October 26.
He will look to extend that run Friday when the Pats visit the Prince George Cougars (9 p.m. CT).
???? WHL Highlight of the Night ????
November 20, 2018@JakeLeschyshyn7 (@GoldenKnights) & Nick Henry (@Avalanche) of @WHLPats#WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/xrdlLtaQ1f— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 21, 2018
8. Speaking of streaks, the top goal-scoring streak of the season belongs to Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets, who racked up eight goals in six straight games from October 13 through November 9.
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Tyler Preziuso (six goals – October 19 to November 2) and Red Deer Rebels forward Jeff de Wit (six goals – October 24 to November 10) also previously registered six-game goal-scoring streaks.
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Zack Andrusiak is the owner of the longest active goal-scoring streak, having amassed four goals in four contests since November 13. Andrusiak will look to remain hot when the Thunderbirds host the Calgary Hitmen Friday night (7:35 p.m. PT).
9. Portland Winterhawks forward Cody Glass is the owner of the WHL’s longest assist streak of the season. Over nine games from October 27 through November 17, the Vegas Golden Knights prospect accrued 16 assists.
Spokane Chiefs defenceman Ty Smith (14 assists – September 29 to October 19) and Medicine Hat Tigers forward James Hamblin (11 assists – October 19 to November 10) also enjoyed nine-game assist streaks earlier this season.
Moose Jaw Warriors forward Justin Almeida is the owner of the WHL’s active assist streak, having collected seven helpers through six games since October 20.
10. As we mention Almedia and the Moose Jaw Warriors, it seems prevalent to remind fans that WHL hockey returns to Sportsnet this Saturday afternoon (1:30 p.m. MT) as the Lethbridge Hurricanes visit the Friendly City.
All eyes will be on highly-touted 2019 NHL Draft prospect Dylan Cozens, who sits tied atop the Hurricanes scoring charts with 24 points (9G-15A) in 22 games.
On the other side of the puck, it’s overage forward Tristin Langan leading the charge for Moose Jaw. The 20-year-old product of Swan River, Man., is the reigning WHL On the Run Player of the Week and leads Moose Jaw with 33 points (15G-18A) in 19 games. Langan is within striking distance of his career mark for goals (16) and seems destined to break his career-high point total of 42, which he achieved in 70 games last season.
Check out @Sportsnet‘s #SaturdayShowcase tomorrow!
???? @WHLHurricanes at @MJWARRIORS
???? Sportsnet
???? https://t.co/JWpPrksQlz#WhereGreatnessBegins ???? | https://t.co/2xUsjhluOn pic.twitter.com/JijyeI9S9I— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 23, 2018
11. The Brandon Wheat Kings are set to don some unique agriculture-themed uniforms in support of 4-H Manitoba on Friday night.
The sweater features blades of wheat, which many fans will recall from Wheat Kings jerseys of yesteryear. Emblazoned on the front is a “BWK” crest featuring the outline of the province of Manitoba, as well as a grain elevator.
Here are the Ag themed jerseys the #BWK will be wearing Friday Night! ???? pic.twitter.com/HGK60S3Q5F
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) November 19, 2018
12. According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, WHL Officiating alumnus Mick McGeough was taken into hospital earlier this week with health complications related to a stroke. Sadly, the GoFundMe page has reported that McGeough will be taken off life support.
McGeough, 62, is from Regina and served as both a WHL linesman and WHL referee. He also worked the 1986 Memorial Cup championship game before graduating to the NHL in 1987.
Very, very sad news.https://t.co/LV4SfZKNAk
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2018
13. Another week saw another pair of WHL Alumni score their first career NHL goals.
Former Kelowna Rockets forward Dillon Dube notched his first as a member of the Calgary Flames while forward Regina Pats forward Austin Wagner secured his first as a member of the LA Kings.
What a guy! Congratulations Dillon! #WHLAlumni https://t.co/vW4RXE1owR
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 22, 2018
The rookies are doing alright! #GoKingsGo
Congrats, Austin Wagner on your first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/5FxlpVKSn2
— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 22, 2018
14. Sticking with former Pats, defenceman Josh Mahura made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks this past week and he didn’t waste any time impressing.
The kid can skate. The kid can pass the puck.
In an NHL debut that was “something you dream of as a kid,” 20-year-old Josh Mahura showed why he is the best of the Ducks’ next wave of defense prospects.
From @icemancomethhttps://t.co/7NLD0T8Yuo
— The Athletic (@TheAthleticLA) November 22, 2018
15. On a lighter note, the Spokane Chiefs celebrate American Thanksgiving with some of the best (or worst?) dad jokes.
Sit down with Riley Woods and Jeff Faith for a chuckle or two.
???? Happy Thanksgiving, Chiefs fans!@woods_17 and @mistafaith8 are here to provide you with their best dad jokes for tonight’s feast.
FULL VIDEO ???? | https://t.co/qwuL9Ic9EM pic.twitter.com/afqdpKGZjY
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) November 22, 2018
16. With Jaret Anderson-Dolan down and out for the Chiefs, it is Woods who has stepped up to lead the offense in Spokane.
The 20-year-old product of Regina enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2017-18, posting a career-high 57 points (25G-32A) in 72 games. The veteran forward is well on his way to exceeding that in 2018-19 as he leads the Chiefs in scoring with 33 points (18G-15A) in 23 games.
17. Victoria Royals goaltender Griffin Outhouse is approaching another franchise mark.
The veteran product of Likely, B.C. continues to give his best towards the Royals success, having accrued a record of 11-4-0-0 with a 2.49 goals-against average and .921 save percentage this season.
Click through for more on the latest record Outhouse is set to surpass in Victoria.
When Griffen Outhouse plays in his 1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣th regular season game, he’ll add another franchise record to his already-impressive WHL career.
FEATURE ???? | https://t.co/04jX1ce2ck pic.twitter.com/rz6vDds1lr
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 24, 2018
18. Though they trail the Vancouver Giants by eight points heading into the weekend, Outhouse and the Royals find themselves positioned quite well within the B.C. Division.
Yes, an eight-point gap exists between the first-place Giants and second-place Royals. But, Victoria has played five fewer games than their rivals from Vancouver, leaving plenty of opportunity to make up ground.
19. It was four years ago today that the legendary Pat Quinn passed away.
Quinn won the 1963 Memorial Cup as a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings and later in life became a co-owner of the Vancouver Giants.
Today we celebrate the legendary Pat Quinn who sadly passed away four years ago today. He will forever be fondly remembered by his Vancouver Giants family. We’re definitely thinking of Pat and his family today.
???? pic.twitter.com/ZhBMZAPhkP
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) November 23, 2018
20. Finally, a fun piece to end off he week.
The WHL and BC Tree Fruits are giving minor hockey teams an opportunity to enjoy practice time with their local WHL Club.
Show us your best #AppleFace and enter the contest as detailed below.
Show us & @bctreefruits your best #appleface & you could train with your favourite, local WHL team! #BCTreeFruitsTrainingDay ???? | https://t.co/tbaVBeisCX pic.twitter.com/GnO8vNDVHw
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 22, 2018
Loading ...