There’s a new number one in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Power Rankings.
After taking a hard fall last week thanks to other teams making moves up, the Lethbridge Hurricanes made one of the biggest jumps of the season, leaping five spots into first place for the first time. The Swift Current Broncos are right on their heels in second, though, and the Saskatoon Blades -- who led the previous four weeks -- have dropped to third.
Each week, a group of contributors from both the East and West Divisions will rank the Conference’s 11 teams based on their performance throughout the season, with most recent results taking priority.
(note: rankings do not include games from this week)
1) Lethbridge Hurricanes (+5)
The Hurricanes (11-5-1-0) put together a three-game win streak with victories over Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw and Regina, leading to their huge move up the rankings. Their offence was remarkably balanced through the week, with Logan Wormald leading with three goals and six points, while five players -- Brayden Edwards, Tristan Doyle, Shane Smith, and MIquel Marques -- each had five points.
This week: at Brandon (Monday), vs. Victoria (Saturday)
2) Swift Current Broncos
The Broncos (11-6-0-0) had a single game last week, but their win over Edmonton was enough to hold onto second place. Luke Mistelbacher continued his stellar run as of late, picking up a goal and three points in the win, while defenceman Grayson Burzynski continues to put up points with a goal and assist.
This week: at Moose Jaw (Tuesday), vs. Moose Jaw (Wednesday), at Brandon (Saturday)
3) Saskatoon Blades (-2)
In the midst of their B.C. Division road swing, the Blades (11-5-1-1) lost two of three, defeating Prince George but falling to Kelowna and Kamloops in three one-goal games. Brandon LIsowsky saw his eight game point streak snapped but still had four points, while Ben Riche had three goals in the three games.
This week: vs. Edmonton (Friday), vs. Tri-City (Saturday)
4) Brandon Wheat Kings (-)
The Wheat Kings (9-4-2-1) won both their games on the weekend, defeating Regina and Prince Albert. Joby Baumuller had his best game of the season against the Pats, picking up two goals and three points, while Matteo Michels also had three points in the win. Dominik Petr scored twice in the victory over the Raiders.
This week: vs. Regina (Friday), vs. Regina (Saturday)
5) Medicine Hat Tigers (+1)
The Tigers (10-9-0-0) didn’t have a great week with losses to Lethbridge and Edmonton, but a huge win over Moose Jaw helped them move up a spot in the rankings. Gavin McKenna continued his impressive run, racking up two goals and eight points in the three games and continues to lead the WHL in scoring.
This week: at Edmonton (Wednesday), vs. Victoria (Friday)
6) Red Deer Rebels (-3)
The Rebels (9-6-1-1) are on their U.S. Division road swing and haven’t had a lot of luck, falling to Wenatchee and Tri-City on the weekend, leading to the largest fall in the rankings this week. Offence has been hard to come by on the trip, with four goals over the two games. Beckett Hamiton picked up a pair of points in the contests.
This week: at Seattle (Tuesday), at Portland (Friday), at Spokane (Saturday)
7) Edmonton Oil Kings (-)
The Oil Kings (8-7-1-1) defeated Medicine Hat and fell to Swift Current in their two games, maintaining their spot in the rankings. Miroslav Holinka ran his point streak to six games with two goals and five points, Gracyn Sawchyn had a goal and two points and leads the team in scoring with 22 points.
This week: vs. Medicine Hat (Wednesday), at Saskatoon (Friday), at Prince Albert (Saturday)
8) Calgary Hitmen (-)
The Hitmen (7-7-3-1) are on their U.S. Division swing and have had an up-and-down run, beating Seattle in overtime, falling to Everett and losing to Tri-City in overtime. Ben Kindel had goals in each of the three games and racked up five points to continue to lead Calgary in scoring; Carter Yakemchuk picked up four assists.
This week: at Portland (Wednesday), at Spokane (Friday), at Calgary (Wednesday)
9) Prince Albert Raiders (-)
The Raiders (6-8-2-0) played extra hockey in both their games last week, defeating Regina in a shootout and downing Brandon in overtime. Brandon Dube had two goals and four points over the two games, while Lukas Dragicevic racked up four assists. Nail Crocker continues to lead the team in scoring with 20 points.
This week: vs. Tri-City (Friday), vs. Edmonton (Saturday)
10) Regina Pats (-)
The Pats (5-11-1-1) dropped both of their games last week, falling to Brandon and Lethbridge in a pair of close games in Regina. Goaltender Kelton Pyne was the second star in both contests, stopping 36 shots against the Wheat Kings and 22 shots against Lethbridge. John Logan Peskett had a goal in each of the contests.
This week: at Brandon (Friday), at Brandon (Saturday)
11. Moose Jaw Warriors (-)
It was a tough week for the Warriors (4-13-2-0) as they dropped lopsided decisions to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Brayden Yager and Lynden Lakovic continued their solid campaigns with three points each, while Rilen Kovacevic scored twice against the Tigers. Defenceman Aiden Ziprick also had a goal and two points
This week: vs. Swift Current (Tuesday), at Swift Current (Wednesday)
