Will the Sea Dogs ever lose again? We’ve seen their streak run to 16 games now with no end in sight. Everyone expected them to be good again, but I don’t know if any of us thought they’d be this good. Val d’Or may just be the hottest team outside of top tiered clubs and the Islands are still struggling.
#1 Saint John Sea Dogs (46-14-0-2) – Last week #1 - No change – Have increased their win streak to 16 games, the Sea Dogs are rolling at the right time. Can anyone shut down Huberdeau and company?
#2 Shawinigan Cataractes (41-14-3-4) – Last week #4 – No change – Have lost two of their last three games, most recently a 5-4 decision against Chicoutimi. It was their first loss to the Sagueneens in seven games this season.
#3 Quebec Remparts (40-15-5-2) – Last week #4 - Up one spot- Have won six straight are 8-2 in their last 10 games with four shutouts. They’ve allowed one goal or less in six of those last 10. Leading rookie scorer Mikhail Grigorenko has seven goals and 10 points during Quebec’s six game winning streak.
#4 Halifax Mooseheads (35-20-2-4)– Last week #5 – Up one spot - Friday night’s loss to Rouyn-Noranda marks the Mooseheads first loss to a team below them in the standings since a 2-1 shootout loss in Baie Comeau on Feb. 8.
#5 Victoriaville Tigres (38-18-1-4) – Last week #3 – Down two spots- Have lost three of their last five games. Both wins were by a single goal. Two of their three losses were to Quebec and Halifax.
#6 Chicoutimi Sagueneens (32-20-3-6) – Last week #6 – No change – Beat Shawinigan for the first time this season for their third straight win.
#7 Rimouski Oceanic (38-23-1-0) – Last week #7 – No change – Have four straight wins since Cape Breton snapped their overtime winning streak . They’ve scored 27 goals in those four games.
#8 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (34-22-3-2) –Last week #8 – No change – Have been playing good hockey as of late, collecting points in eight of their past ten games, including six wins.
#9 Acadie-Bathurst Titan (29-28-2-3)- Last week #10 – Up one spot – The Titan continue to confuse. They’ve won two of their last three, beating Cape Breton twice while losing to Baie-Comeau. As usual, everyone expects much more from a team who boasts two of the leagues top three scorers.
#10 Moncton Wildcats (27-28-3-3) – Last week #9 - Down one spot – Have lost five straight games, but it’s hard to hold that against them. They’ve played Saint John and Quebec twice in that span. At least they only had to play Shawinigan once. The Wildcats were shutout three times in those five games.
#11 Val d’Or Foreurs (28-30-0-5)- Last week #14 – Up three spots - Val d’Or could be dark horse for a first round upset. They’ve won five straight games and have a couple of streaking wingers. Benjamin Casavant has 16 points in his ongoing 11 game point streak while Anthony Mantha has 14 points in eight games.
#12 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (28-29-1-4)- Last week #12 – No change – Th eDrakkar have lost four of their last five giving up 30 goals in that span.
#13 Gatineau Olympiques (24-28-4-5)-Last week #13 – No change- Needed a shootout to snap a four game losing streak Friday night against Drummondville.
#14 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (21-34-4-3)- Last week #11- Up one spot- Have collected points in four straight games. Chased rookie standout Zachary Fucale in a 5-2 win of the fourth ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Friday night.
#15 Drummondville Voltigeurs (25-28-2-7)- Last week #11- Down four spots- In their last six games they’ve lost to Val d’Or, Gatineau, and twice to Rouyn-Noranda. Needless to say they are slumping.
#16 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (21-38-1-2) – Last week #17- Up one spot- Have lost six in a row starting with their 10-1 loss to Rimouski. Things are better than in P.E.I, but not by much. Have given up 41 goals in their six losses.
#17 P.E.I Rocket(17-40-2-2)- Last week # 16 – Down one spot – Have now lost nine in a row. Fortunately Rocket fans are seeing lots of goals this season. Unfortunately they are going in the wrong net. The Rocket are the lowest scoring team in the Q right now, while also giving up the most goals. Not a lot of positives on the Islands right now.
The power rankings take a break next week as I enjoy mojitos and sunny beaches. Check back March 15 for the penultimate edition of the 2012 Q Spot power rankings.
