Central Intelligence

Apologies for the short hiatus. But here we are about a month into the WHL season and separating 1st from 6th is just 7 points. Making the Central the tightest in the league. We’ll start in reverse order.

6. Kootenay Ice (1-5-3-1)

KTN

The Ice have largely been the beneficiary of “loser points” with 4 overtime or shootout losses in just 10 games. They have dropped their last 4 (two in OT) and have notched just a lone victory on the season. This was to be expected, the Ice didn’t really upgrade and are still a fairly young club. Kootenay has been led offensively by Zak Zboroski, at a point per game (10 in 10), Matt Alfaro, who has 9 points (3-6) and d-man, Cale Fleury, younger brother of the Carolina Hurricanes drafted, Haydn. Vince Loschiavo (’98), Dylan Stewart(’97) and Keenan Taphorn (’00) have also been contributing, so the young core looks pretty good.

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, OCT 19

KOOTENAY ICE @ MEDICINE HAT TIGERS

7:00 – CANALTA CENTRE – MEDICINE HAT, AB

FRIDAY, OCT 21

MEDICINE HAT TIGERS @ KOOTENAY ICE

7:00 – WESTERN FINANCIAL PLACE – CRANBROOK, BC

The Ice have their work cut out for them in a home-and-home with Medicine Hat.

5. Calgary Hitmen (3-3-1-0)

CAL

Calgary started 3-1, but have since dropped their last three contests to Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat (a drubbing, 7-2) and Vancouver. Inconsistency has plagued the Hitmen and perhaps it can be blamed on the fact they are tied for the least amount of games played in the league at 7 (Seattle is the other, also trailing in their division). Calgary has to be disappointed in the play of Jake Bean since returning. In three games Bean has notched two helpers while going -4. Not close to good enough for the Carolina 1st rounder. That plus-minus has him tied for 2nd worst on the club, despite missing most of Calgary’s games thus far. Taylor Mrkonjic leads the charge with 6 points along with Matteo Gennaro’s 6 points, rounding out the top three is Jakub Stukel with 4. Calgary’s big guns (Malenstyn, Bean, Stukel, Stallard) will need to get going. If they do, they are a scary team.

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, OCT 21

CALGARY HITMEN @ RED DEER REBELS

7:00 – ENMAX CENTRIUM – RED DEER, AB

The Hitmen will have to take on a rather hot Red Deer team who has won their last three. Calgary hasn’t won on the road since September 24th.

SUNDAY, OCT 23

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS @ CALGARY HITMEN

4:00 – SCOTIABANK SADDLEDOME – CALGARY, AB

Calgary will have a really good chance here. PA is 3-5-1-0 so the Hitmen will have a good opportunity to make some hay at home before the weekend is out.

4. Edmonton Oil Kings (3-5-2-0)

EOK

Edmonton started the year with back-to-back victories over the Red Deer Rebels and haven’t seemed to get back to that form since. The Oil Kings have dropped their last three and have not won since October 9th. However there are some things to be excited about in Oil Country. Rookie Trey Fix-Wolanksi is 4th in team scoring and has looked fairly good thus far. The OKs are led by Lane Bauer (no surprise) with 8 points. Aaron Irving is also a big bright spot, tied with Bauer for the team-lead as a d-man. Tyler Robertson is also among team leaders with 7 points.

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, OCT 21

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS @ EDMONTON OIL KINGS

7:00 – ROGERS PLACE – EDMONTON, AB

Both of these clubs have struggled lately, so it will be interesting to see what happens up north in Edmonton’s only game this weekend

TUESDAY, OCT 25

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS @ EDMONTON OIL KINGS

7:00 – ROGERS PLACE – EDMONTON, AB

Brandon has been less than what they want themselves to be this year. Could be a good opportunity for the OK’s to get a few back.

3. Lethbridge Hurricanes (5-4-1-1)

LET

Lethbridge has been more than a little up and down this year. They have dropped their last three and are looking to rebound. Many had Lethbridge as the odds on favorite to win their 2nd consecutive Central Division title. One thing the ‘Canes have to be happy with is their top end production. Ryley Lindgren is leading in points with 15 points in 11 games, Jesse Zaharichuk is 3rd with 13. Most impressive has to be Brayden Burke tied for first with 15 points in 8 games.

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, OCT 19

LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES @ MOOSE JAW WARRIORS

7:00 – MOSAIC PLACE – MOOSE JAW, SK

Gonna be a good tilt tonight in the Jaw. Lots of skill on the ice between Popugaev, Halbgewachs, Hunt and Co. and Lethbridge’s Burke and Lindgren.

FRIDAY, OCT 21

LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES @ BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

6:30 – WESTMAN PLACE – BRANDON, MB

The ‘Canes take the show out to Manitoba to round out the road trip on Friday. Brandon has struggled out of the gate. It’s a good opportunity for Lethbridge to get some points back.

2. Red Deer Rebels (5-3-1-1)

RD

The Rebels have been hot lately. They have won their last three and seem to have shaken off the shaky start they had. Riley Lamb will now be tasked with starting goaltender duties as the Rebels released 20 year-old Trevor Martin today, newly acquired Lasse Petersen will back-up. 20-goal-scorer of last year, Colton Bobyk leads the charge with 10 points in 10 games as a D-man. Evan Polei is also at a point per game with 9, rounding out the top three is import, Michael Spacek, also with 9. Red Deer has gotten a pleasant surprise as Austin Pratt is off to roaring start too. Riley Lamb has been excellent in net as well. Red Deer may just end up challenging for the Central after all.

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, OCT 21

CALGARY HITMEN @ RED DEER REBELS

7:00 – ENMAX CENTRIUM – RED DEER, AB

The rivalry gets renewed Friday night as the Rebels welcome the Hitmen to town. If the offense and goaltending stays the way it has been, I like Red Deer’s chances here.

SATURDAY, OCT 22

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS @ RED DEER REBELS

7:00 – ENMAX CENTRIUM – RED DEER, AB

PA has struggled lately and Red Deer has been hot. I would think this may be a game to get Lasse Petersen’s feet wet as a Rebel.

1. Medicine Hat Tigers (6-3-1-0)

MH

The Tigers lead Red Deer and Lethbridge in the Central by a single point. Credit the Tigers however, they by no means revamped their roster, but have found success early on. Chad Butcher (4-11-15), Mason Shaw (4-9-13) and Zach Fischer (6-4-10) lead the way for the ‘Hat. The Tigers have also won their last two and head into a home-and-home this week with the last-place Ice.

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, OCT 19

KOOTENAY ICE @ MEDICINE HAT TIGERS

7:00 – CANALTA CENTRE – MEDICINE HAT, AB

SATURDAY, OCT 21

7:00 – WESTERN FINACIAL PLACE – CRANBROOK, BC

Barring a meltdown, I expect a pair of Tiger wins here.

So there you have it, lots of games coming up within the division. Lots can change by next week. We’ll chat then!