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Power Rankings: Week 4

by pdagenais

Ottawa, Ont. —

  1. Carleton Place Canadians (8-1-1) | Last Week: 1 (–) | Results: 3-2SOL @ BRO, 4-2W v BRO | While the Canadians were locked in two tight battles with the middle-of-the-pack Brockville Braves, they remain the team to beat in the CCHL. With rookies like Sam Allison and Jack Clark beginning to produce, the Canadians’ depth should improve going forward, and goalie Jeremie Forget has the best numbers in the league (1.97, .930).
  2. Ottawa Jr. Senators (7-2-0) | Last Week: 2 (–) | Results: 2-1W v HAW, 7-3W v ROC, 3-1W v NEP | A weekend sweep on home ice vaulted the Jr. Sens back into the first-place discussion, but it remains to be seen what their goaltending situation will look like going forward: Francis Boisvert was injured against Rockland, and Gab Carriere (2.64, .916) appears to be the man going forward. Having the league’s two top scorers in Chiwetin Blacksmith (6-11—17) and Nick Lalonde (8-8—16) helps.
  3. Pembroke Lumber Kings (6-3-0) | Last Week: 5 (plus-2) | Results: 3-2W @ ROC, 6-5OTW v KAN | The Lumber Kings shoot up the rankings this week thanks to a pair of character wins. Sunday’s comeback win against Kanata — in which they trailed twice in the third period — showed that Dale McTavish’s team has learned how to win. Matt Barnaby (7-8—15) is off to a flying start.
  4. Cornwall Colts (5-3-0) | Last Week: 8 (plus-4) | Results: 5-3W v KEM, 7-1W @ KEM | I know, I know: The Colts only swept last-place Kemptville. But still, Ian MacInnis’s team looked very sharp and Chris Theodore could have a very real shot at the CCHL’s version of the Rocket Richard Trophy — the Beaconsfield, Que. native is averaging better than a goal-per-game to start the season.
  5. Rockland Nationals (4-3-2) | Last Week: 3 (minus-2) | Results: 3-2L v PEM, 7-3L @ OJS | The Nats are in free fall, having given up 10 goals this weekend over the course of a pair of regulation losses. Many thought they overachieved out of the gate, and a more .500-like record seems in line with their roster. That said, expect Dan Sauvé and co. to tighten up defensively going forward.
  6. Hawkesbury Hawks (4-3-0) | Last Week: 4 (minus-2) | Result: 2-1L @ OJS | It’s really difficult to rank Hawkesbury given the fact they’ve been playing one game a week due to arena issues. A respectable 2-1 loss on the road against red-hot OJS bodes well with the Hawks set to receive first-place CP at their temporary home in Alexandria next week.
  7. Brockville Braves (5-6-0) | Last Week: 7 (–) | Results: 4-1W @ SF, 2-1L @ KAN, 3-2SOW v CP, 4-2L @ CP | The Braves played four tight hockey games this week, and it’s abundantly clear that Jesse Winchester’s group is not one that will be blown out by anybody this season. Brockville handed CP just its second loss of the season, and for that deserves credit.
  8. Kanata Lasers (4-5-1) | Last Week: 9 (plus-1) | Results: 2-1W v BRO, 6-5OTL @ PEM | Kanata righted the ship this week, getting newly-minted head coach Nathan Hewitt his first win and earning three of a possible four points against decent opposition. ’01-born Jack Quinn might be the best offensive weapon the Lasers have, with four points (3G/1A) in his first two games since being sent down by the OHL’s 67’s.
  9. Smiths Falls Bears (4-5-0) | Last Week: 6 (minus-3) | Results: 4-1L v BRO, 5-2W v NAV, 4-1L @ NAV | A disappointing loss on home ice against Brockville and a split against an offensively-challenged Navan team send the Bears tumbling this week. Goaltender Brad Dobson (3.46, .907) remains sidelined with an injury, so it’s rookie Kyle Renaud’s (3.23, .881) show going forward — for better or worse.
  10. Nepean Raiders (2-5-0) | Last Week: 10 (–) | Result: 3-1L v OJS | Nepean stands pat based on the fact they kept it close with OJS on Sunday. The Raiders have some offensive talent — Malcolm Arseneau, Antoine Belisle, rookie Oli Gauthier, etc. — but until they learn how to score consistently, will struggle for a playoff spot.
  11. Navan Grads (3-6-0) | Last Week: 11 (plus-1) | Results: 5-2L @ SF, 4-1W v SF | The Grads bump up one spot this week thanks to a much-needed split with Smiths Falls. That said, Navan’s defence/goaltending needs to start performing at a higher level, period, if the Grads are to factor into the playoff discussion this season.
  12. Kemptville 73’s (2-7-0) | Last Week: 11 (minus-1) | Results: 5-3L @ COR, 7-1L v COR | It’s just…not a good time to be a 73 right now. HC Rob Dopson said changes would come if things didn’t improve, and getting outscored 12-4 by Cornwall is…not improvement.