There is some minor shuffling around the top of the rankings this week while the bottom of the list remains largely intact. A powerhouse continues to win, a couple of Anthony’s are doing well for themselves, even if their respective clubs are struggling and a once thought contender continues to struggle.
#1 Saint John Sea Dogs (42-14-0-2) – Last week# 1 - No change – Have increased their win streak to 12 games. The Sea Dogs are rolling at the right time. Can anyone shut down Huberdeau and company?
#2 Shawinigan Cataractes (39-12-3-4) – Last week #4 - Up two spots – Seem to be doing just fine without Brandon Gormley. The Cataractes have beat Chicoutimi twice in their last four games.
#3 Victoriaville Tigres (37-17-1-3) – Last week #2 -Down one spot- Have now had five straight one goal games. Things are starting to get a little too close for comfort for a team that should be handling P.E.I. and Cape Breton with ease.
#4 Quebec Remparts (36-15-5-2) –Last week #5 – Up one spot- After a 4-1 loss to Saint John (who’s not losing to them these days), they followed it up with road wins in Moncton and P.E.I.
#5 Halifax Mooseheads (33-19-2-4) – Last week #6 – Up one spot- Had their four game winning streak snapped by none other than Saint John. Return of leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon will help on the score sheet.
#6 Chicoutimi Sagueneens (29-20-3-6) – Last week #3 – Down three spots – Lost four straight games. Their vaulted offense has only scored seven goals in that span. Buying at the deadline is starting to look a little ambitious in Chicoutimi right now.
#7 Rimouski Oceanic (36-23-1-0) – Last week #7 – No change – Embarrassed Cape Breton with a 10 goal onslaught. Petr Straka led the Oceanic with four points. Rimouski lost their first overtime game of the season this week.
#8 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (33-21-2-2) –Last week #9 – Up one spot –Three straight wins this week and have collected nine out of their last 10 points.
#9 Moncton Wildcats (27-25-3-2)- Last week #10 – Up one spot – Suffered their fourth shutout loss of the season to the Remparts, snapping a four game winning streak.
#10 Acadie-Bathurst Titan (27-27-2-3) – Last week #8- Down two spots – Gutsy third period comeback against the Mooseheads, but probably shouldn’t have given up six second period goals in the first place.
#11 Drummondville Voltigeurs (24-26-2-6)- Last week #11 – No change - Have needed a shootout in two straight and four times in their last 10.
#12 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (27-26-1-3)- Last week #12 – No change – Have not scored nor given up a power play goal in the last week.
#13 Gatineau Olympiques(23-25-4-5)- Last week #13 – No change - Adam Chapman had three goals and an assist while defender Anthony Cortese had four assists leading the Olympiques to a 1-1 record last week.
#14 Val d’Or Foreurs (24-30-0-5)- Last week #14- No change- Wingers Benjamin Casavant and Anthony Mantha each have scoring streaks on the line this week. Casavant has had points in seven straight (6G-3A-9P). Mantha meanwhile has a found the score sheet in four straight (5G-2A-7P).
#15 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (18-34-3-3)- Last week #15- No change- Have only won three of their past 10. The Huskies started a six game home stand with a loss to Val d’Or on Wednesday night. They will be hoping that their extended stay at home will change their fortunes and create some distance between them and last placed P.E.I. Rocket.
#16 P.E.I. Rocket (17-37-2-2) – Last week #16- No change - The Rocket have now lost six straight. They have been shut out twice and have managed only five goals in their last five games. Leading scorer Ben Duffy has only one assist in that span.
#17 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (21-33-1-2)- Last week # 17 – No change - Confidence building first leg in a home and home against Rimouski. Then they gave up 10 goals in the second leg to bring them right back down to earth.
Check back next week for the third edition of The Q Spot’s QMJHL PowerRankings. As always, feel free to leave your disagreements in the comments section below.
