PJHL: WEEK IN REVIEW - JAN. 8
By: Chris McLachlin, OHA Media
Photo: Heather Johns
After a brief hiatus for the holidays, the PJHL Week In Review is back and we are in 2018 and the regular season is winding down. Let’s get right into it and take a look at what happened across the PJHL last week!
In the East, the Lakefield Chiefs have increased their lead in the Orr Division and in the Tod Division the Napanee Raiders have all but wrapped up first.
In the North, the Stayner Siskins have clinched first place in the Carruthers Division and the Mount Forest Patriots hold a commanding nine point lead in the Pollock Division.
In the South, the Grimsby Peach Kings are pressing the Glanbrook Rangers who have held top spot in the Bloomfield Division all season long as the Peach Kings only trail Glanbrook now by a single point; and the Ayr Centennials lead Tavistock by five points in the Doherty Division.
In the West, there are five teams still alive for top spot in the Stobbs Division as only five points separate the Essex 73’s, Dresden Kings, Lakeshore Canadiens, Amherstburg Admirals, and Mooretown Flags; and in the Yeck Division, there are three teams battling for top spot as the Lambeth Lancers are one point ahead of both the Exeter Hawks and Dorchester Dolphins.
SCORING LEADERS - GOALS
1. 52 - JD Falconer, Stayner Siskins
2. 36 - Ryan Casselman, Napanee Raiders
T3. 35 - Ben Sly, Penetang Kings
T3. 35 - Aaron Vatcher, Lakefield Chiefs
T3. 35 - Klayton Hoelscher, Mount Forest Patriots
Click here for full PJHL Scoring Leader stats
GOALIE LEADERS - GAA
1. 1.70 - Marcus Semiao, Stayner Siskins
2. 1.71 - Jax D’Hondt, Essex 73’s
3. 1.78 - Nicholas Nabuurs, Napanee Raiders
4. 1.85 - Jeremy Piazzi, Napanee Raiders
5. 1.93 - Brock MacDonald, Lambeth Lancers
Click here for full PJHL Goalie Leader stats
EAST CONFERENCE: ORR DIVISION
The Lakefield Chiefs have increased their lead on top of the Orr Division and have won nine straight games dating back to December 5. Lakefield leads the Port Perry MoJacks by five points and the race for third is tightening as the Clarington Eagles lead the Uxbridge Bruins by just two points. With just under a month left in the regular season, there’s still a lot to play for. The Orr Division regular season ends Sunday, February 4.
December Offensive Player of the Month: Aaron Vatcher, Lakefield Chiefs
December Goaltender of the Month: Michael Christie, Lakefield Chiefs
Top Performances
Goals: 4 - Trent Schutt (North Kawartha) vs Little Britain Jan. 5
Assists: 4 - Jesse Douglas (North Kawartha) vs Little Britain Jan. 5, Jeff Gauld (Port Perry) vs Little Britain Jan. 6
Points: 5 - Jesse Douglas (1G, 4A) (North Kawartha) vs Little Britain Jan. 5, Derek Risebrough (3G, 2A) (Port Perry) vs Little Britain Jan. 6
Saves: 58 - Jacob Lebel (W) (Georgina) vs Uxbridge Jan. 5
EAST CONFERENCE: TOD DIVISION
With just a little over a month left in the regular season the Napanee Raiders have set themselves apart from the rest of the teams in the Tod Division and now lead by 13 points over second place Port Hope. The Port Hope Panthers were looking to cut into that lead on Saturday when they hosted the Raiders, but Napanee came out on top 4-3 in a thrilling contest between the top two teams. Although the Panthers are still hoping to catch Napanee their bigger concerns are with the Picton Pirates who are only one point behind them for second spot. The Amherstview Jets are securely in fourth place and only need a few more points to wrap up a playoff spot after two wins over Campbellford on the weekend. The Tod Division regular season ends Thursday, February 15.
December Player of the Month: Graham Dickerson, Port Hope Panthers
Top Performances
Goals: 4 - Joey Mayer (Amherstview) vs Campbellford Jan. 6
Assists: 3 - Riley Steeves (Napanee) vs Campbellford Jan. 3, Noah Brant (Picton) vs Amherstview Jan. 4, Ryan Casselman (Napanee) vs Picton Jan. 5, Jas Masters (Amherstview) vs Campbellford Jan. 6, Zach Maciel (Amherstview) vs Campbellford Jan. 6, Zach Kish (Amherstview) vs Campbellford Jan. 7
Points: 6 - Riley Steeves (3G, 3A) (Napanee) vs Campbellford Jan. 3, Joey Mayer (4G, 2A) (Amherstview) vs Campbellford Jan. 6
Saves: 61 - Dryden Bedard (L) (Campbellford) vs Napanee Jan. 3
NORTH CONFERENCE: CARRUTHERS DIVISION
With just three weeks left in the regular season the Stayner Siskins have wrapped up first place in the Carruthers Division and the Alliston Hornets have a strong hold on second spot with a 10 point lead over the Penetang Kings with seven games left for both teams. The Kings have bolted up the standings after winning nine of their past 10 games with their only loss a 3-2 defeat to Alliston in overtime. Penetang is now three points ahead of Caledon for third place and both teams have seven games left, including two games against each other. This race might come down to the final game of the season when Penetang plays in Caledon. The Schomberg Cougars, who are seven points behind Caledon, lead the 7th place Midland Flyers by just a single point, with Midland holding one game in hand. Huntsville is still in the mix as they only trail Schomberg by five points and Midland by four points. Orillia will finish in 8th place. The Carruthers Division regular season ends on Sunday, January 28.
Top Performances
Goals: 3 - Alex Brisson (Huntsville) vs Orillia Jan. 7
Assists: 4 - Alexander Trenton (Midland) vs Orillia Jan. 6
Points: 5 - Alexander Trenton (1G, 4A) (Midland) vs Orillia Jan. 6
Saves: 40 - Morgan Penwell (L) (Orillia) vs Stayner Jan. 4
NORTH CONFERENCE: POLLOCK DIVISION
The first place Mount Forest Patriots are now nine points ahead of the second place Walkerton Hawks after Friday night’s 6-5 win by the Patriots over the Hawks (not displaying in the league standings due to Pointstreak issues over the weekend). The two teams have seven games left on their schedules, but Walkerton has a lot of ground to make up to catch Mount Forest. The Hawks are likely more concerned with the teams behind them, as the Kincardine Bulldogs are just two points back and the Wingham Ironmen are two points behind Kincardine. The Mitchell Hawks are still trying to get join that group as they are currently four points behind fifth place Wingham. At the bottom of the standings, the Goderich Flyers and Hanover Barons are deadlocked with 15 points as the two teams will battle for 6/7 down the stretch. The Pollock Division regular season concludes on Sunday, January 28.
December Player of the Month: Derek Elliott, Mitchell Hawks
Top Performances
Goals: 2 - Rhys Vollmer (Wingham) vs Goderich Jan. 5, Carter Collinson (Wingham) vs Mount Forest Jan. 6, Logan Freiburger (Kincardine) vs Walkerton Jan. 7, Mike Fiegehen (Kincardine) vs Walkerton Jan. 7
Assists: 4 - Jordan Caskenette (Kincardine) vs Walkerton Jan. 7
Points: 4 - Jordan Caskenette (4A) (Kincardine) vs Walkerton Jan. 7, Logan Freiburger (2G, 2A) (Kincardine) vs Walkerton Jan. 7
Saves: 48 - Curtis Laviolette (Mitchell) vs Walkerton Jan. 3
Shutout: 22 SV - Jamie Brock (Wingham) vs Hanover Jan. 3
SOUTH CONFERENCE: BLOOMFIELD DIVISION
The race for first place in the Bloomfield Division is tighter than it has been all season as the Grimsby Peach Kings are just a single point behind the first place Glanbrook Rangers. Glanbrook holds one game in hand but the Peach Kings have been slowly chipping into Glanbrook’s lead week by week. The two teams face each other just one more time this season, a matchup in Grimsby on January 19. That game might go a long way in determining first place. Port Dover and Dundas are in a tie for third place with 38 points apiece as Port Dover is unbeaten in their past five games to pull even with the Blues. The Bloomfield Division regular season wraps up on Sunday, February 4.
Top Performances
Goals: 2 - Garnet Batrynchuk (Glanbrook) vs Niagara Jan. 3, Brad Parish (Glanbrook) vs Niagara Jan. 3), Domenic Procopio (Glanbrook) vs Niagara Jan. 3, Ralph Taggart (Hagersville) vs Niagara Jan. 4, Tycie Cowan (Hagersville) vs Niagara Jan. 4, Brennan Smith (Grimsby) vs Dunnville Jan. 5, Lynden Lemoire (Port Dover) vs Niagara Jan. 6, Isaac MacAulay (Port Dover) vs Niagara Jan. 6, Brennan Smith (Grimsby) vs Hagersville Jan. 6, Steve Goeree (Port Dover) vs Dundas Jan. 7
Assists: 4 - Connor Maitz (Glanbrook) vs Niagara Jan. 3
Points: 5 - Connor Maitz (1G, 4A) (Glanbrook) vs Niagara Jan. 3
Saves: 47 - Gavin McLeod (L) (Simcoe) vs Dundas Jan. 4
Shutout: 29 SV - Andrew Hawkins (Port Dover) vs Dundas Jan. 7
SOUTH CONFERENCE: DOHERTY DIVISION
The Doherty Division held their annual All-Star & Prospects Games on Saturday, January 6 in Norwich as the Norwich Merchants continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Click here for a recap of the games.
The Ayr Centennials have stretched their lead on top of the Doherty Division standings to five points over the Tavistock Braves as the Centennials have won nine straight, while the Braves dropped two decisions last week to start January. The Woodstock Navy-Vets are just two points behind Tavistock for second place as Woodstock has won five in a row. The Paris Mounties and Wellesley Applejacks are also battling for position as Paris currently leads Wellesley by just one point for fourth place. Meanwhile, the Norwich Merchants and New Hamburg Firebirds are just two points apart for sixth place with the Merchants currently holding the higher position. The Doherty Division regular season finishes on Sunday, January 28.
Top Performances
Goals: 3 - Kyle Walker (Woodstock) vs Norwich Jan. 2, Kyle Walker (Woodstock) vs Tavistock Jan. 5, Cameron Stokes (Paris) vs Ayr Jan. 7, John Nay (Ayr) vs Paris Jan. 7, Spencer Brick (Wellesley) vs Burford Jan. 7
Assists: 4 - Noah Monteiro (Ayr) vs Burford Jan. 4, Nolan Kelly (Ayr) vs Burford Jan. 4, Rob Grant (Ayr) vs Burford Jan. 4, Blake Culley (Paris) vs Ayr Jan. 7
Points: 6 - Cameron Stokes (3G, 3A) (Paris) vs Ayr Jan. 7
Saves: 49 - Eric Chant (L) (Burford) vs Wellesley Jan. 7
Shutout: 25 SV - Justin Osolnik (New Hamburg) vs Delhi Jan. 7
WEST CONFERENCE: STOBBS DIVISION
With just four weeks left in the regular season, there are still five teams with a legitimate shot at winning the Stobbs Division. Only five points separate the top five teams as the Essex 73’s are in first with 47 points, the Dresden Kings are in second with 46 points, the Lakeshore Canadiens are in third with 45 points, the Amherstburg Admirals are in fourth with 44 points and the Mooretown Flags are in fifth with 42 points. These teams have been grouped tightly all season long and all five spots are likely to come down to the final weekend of the season. The Petrolia Flyers are fairly safe in sixth place, seven points behind fifth place Mooretown and nine points ahead of the seventh place Blenheim Blades. Blenheim and Wheatley will be battling for the 7/8 spots as Wheatley currently trails by just two points with one game in hand. The Wallaceburg Lakers have not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but will most likely finish in ninth place, despite upsetting the Lakeshore Canadiens 2-0 just after Christmas. The Stobbs Division regular season ends on Saturday, February 3.
December Player of the Month: Caleb Paquette, Amherstburg Admirals
Top Performances
Goals: 2 - Cody Leeming (Essex) vs Petrolia Jan. 2, Delaney MacDonald (Wheatley) vs Wallaceburg Jan. 3, Matt Tourigny (Wallaceburg) vs Wheatley Jan. 3, Jarrett Tazzman (Lakeshore) vs Amherstburg Jan. 5, Nick Delyzer (Blenheim) vs Dresden Jan. 5, Kevin Ritzer (Dresden) vs Mooretown Jan. 6, Bryce Broad (Blenheim) vs Wheatley Jan. 7
Assists: 3 - Adam Gaiarin (Essex) vs Petrolia Jan. 2, Drew Denomey (Wheatley) vs Wallaceburg Jan. 3, Michael Long (Lakeshore) vs Amherstburg Jan. 5, Brendan Ritchie (Dresden) vs Blenheim Jan. 5, Dede Cato (Blenheim) vs Wheatley Jan. 7, Drew Marlatt (Blenheim) vs Wheatley Jan. 7
Points: 4 - Adam Gaiarin (1G, 3A) (Essex) vs Petrolia Jan. 2, Drew Denomey (1G, 3A) (Wheatley) vs Wallaceburg Jan. 3, Brendan Ritchie (1G, 3A) (Dresden) vs Blenheim Jan. 5, Drew Marlatt (1G, 3A) (Blenheim) vs Wheatley Jan. 7
Saves: 44 - Jake Wilkins (L) (Mooretown) vs Dresden Jan. 6
Shutout: 19 SV - Tyler Ryan (Essex) vs Amherstburg Jan. 7
WEST CONFERENCE: YECK DIVISION
Just six games were played last week in the Yeck Division has a snow squall in the area caused three other games to be postponed. With only four weeks left in the regular season, the Lambeth Lancers hold down top spot, but are only one point ahead of the Exeter Hawks and Dorchester Dolphins. Lambeth does have two games in hand over Exeter and three over Dorchester. The Thamesford Trojans had their best week in quite some time, after beating Aylmer 5-2 on Friday night and following up with a 5-3 upset of the first place Lancers in Lambeth on Sunday night. The Yeck Division regular season wraps up on Sunday, February 4.
December Player of the Month: Dylan Buckholz, Dorchester Dolphins
Top Performances
Goals: 3 - Cody Clerk (Thamesford) vs Lambeth Jan. 7
Assists: 3 - Nolan Brown (Thamesford) vs Lambeth Jan. 7
Points: 3 - Garrett Hickey (1G, 2A) (Thamesford) vs Aylmer Jan. 5, James Collins (2G, 1A) (Aylmer) vs Mt. Brydges Jan. 6, Cody Clerk (3G) (Thamesford) vs Lambeth Jan. 7, Nolan Brown (3A) (Thamesford) vs Lambeth Jan. 7
Saves: 49 - Mitchell Van Eindhoven (W) (Thamesford) vs Lambeth Jan. 7
Shutout: 26 - Brock MacDonald (Lambeth) vs Port Stanley Jan. 6
This Week: 70 games
(The PJHL Week in Review is posted on Mondays during the 2017-18 PJHL regular season.)
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