Wednesday, October 1, 2008

NWJHL power rankings Oct. 1

Here are my first unofficial North West Junior Hockey League power rankings. Keep in mind these power rankings are made with no prior knowledge of seasons past.
1. Grande Prairie Wheelers (2-0-0-0)

The Wheelers are out of the gate quick to start the 2008-2009 season. It started with a 7-5 win over Beaverlodge and a 3-2 win in Fort St. John. The Wheelers will be tested on Friday when they host Dawson Creek. This will really test what the Wheelers are made of.

2. Peace River Navigators (2-0-0-0)

Like the Wheelers, Peace River has also started the season with a pair of wins. (5-4, 7-3 over Slave Lake) The Navigators next two games come against Sexsmith and Whitecourt, two teams who have yet to play a regular season game. It's early in the season but offence doesn't appear to be an issue with this club. (12 goals in 2 games)

3. Fort St. John Huskies (1-1-0-0)

The Huskies opened the season with a victory over Dawson Creek (6-5 in overtime). They are ahead of the Canucks for the sole reason that they won the hockey game but the way they finished the game should have a few people worried. Up 4-1 going into the third the Huskies gave up 4 straight goals before tieing the hockey game late and winning in overtime. The dogs followed that up with a 3-2 loss to Grande Prairie. They play Beaverlodge on Friday and the rematch with GP is on Saturday.

4. Dawson Creek Jr Canucks (0-0-0-1)

A loss on opening night is never something to be proud of but the way the Jr Canucks played in the third period has left a lot for the club to be excited about. Down 4-1 the Nucks netted 4 straight goals to grab the lead before the Huskies tied things late. A very questionable call at the end of regulation led to the game winner for FSJ. The Canucks are in Grande Prairie on Friday for possibly the game of the week and then at home on Saturday.

5. Slave Lake Wolves (0-1-0-1)

A pair of losses to Peace River to open the season isn't a great .way to start. The team did salvage a single point sending one of the games to overtime so all was not lost. Slave Lake will need to dig in this weekend with a pair of games on the road. They are in Dawson Creek Saturday and in Sexsmith on Sunday.

6. Beaverlodge Blades (0-1-0-0)

An opening night loss to Grande Prairie (7-5) really shouldn't mean that they are all the way in 6th but that's the way things go in hockey sometimes. Beaverlodge should be happy with offensive production but giving up 7 goals against will make the coaching staff really concentrate on their own zone this week. They are home to Fort St. John Friday.

7. Sexsmith Vipers (0-0-0-0)

No games to report



8. Whitecourt Wolverines (0-0-0-0)

No games to report

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