Troops' Smith Named CHL's Top 'Tender
November 25, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release
NORTH BAY, Ont. - Jake Smith of the North Bay Battalion has been named the Canadian Hockey League's Goaltender of the Week for the period ended Sunday, it was announced Tuesday.
Smith backstopped North Bay to a sweep of a home-and-home series with the Sudbury Wolves. He made 18 saves for his second shutout of the Ontario Hockey League season in a 3-0 home-ice victory Thursday night and faced 34 shots in a 2-1 road win Friday night.
"It's a great honour," said Smith. "I've never had anything like this before. I'm proud of it, and it also reflects well on my teammates. I'm going to keep battling for the team. That comes first and is the most important thing for us to be successful this season."
A 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., Smith has a won-lost-extended record of 11-4-3 in 18 games for North Bay, which is first in the Central Division at 12-5-4 for 28 points.
Smith leads OHL goaltenders with a 2.09 goals-against average and is sixth in the league with a .918 save percentage. He ranks fifth in both wins and minutes played, with 1,064.
"I like to think goals-against average is a team stat," noted Smith. "The team really helps it out. We have great defence and forwards who battle hard in the defensive zone. It's a real team effort here. They've really helped me a lot."
A ninth-round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, Smith debuted with the Battalion in 2012-13, the franchise's last season in Brampton, compiling a 9-6-2 record in 20 games. He played in 42 games last season, producing a 23-12-4 log with four shutouts and a 2.52 GAA. Smith's 43 wins are sixth all-time among Battalion goaltenders, and his six shutouts are tied for third.
Smith has appeared in 24 playoff games, compiling a won-lost record of 13-11 with three shutouts, a 2.45 GAA and a .908 save percenatage.
The CHL is made up of the OHL, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Also considered for the award were Jayden Sittler of the WHL's Victoria Royals and Sebastien Auger of the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2014
- Troops' Smith Named CHL's Top 'Tender - North Bay Battalion
- Wolves Welcome Storm & Greyhounds - Sudbury Wolves
- Knights' Mitch Marner Named CHL Player of the Week - OHL
- Battalion's Jake Smith Named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week - OHL
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