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Prince George Cougars

Cougars Move up to 4th Ranked CHL Team: CHL Top-10 Rankings: Week 21

February 27, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the Week 21 edition of its CHL Top 10 Rankings for the 2023-24 season.

With three straight wins on home ice, the QMJHL's Baie-Comeau Drakkar jump back up to the no. 1 spot while the Saskatoon Blades drop to no. 2 after they lost their lone game of the week. The OHL's London Knights remain at no. 3 after a pair of road wins.

The QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies are the only newcomer to the rankings in Week 21 as they take the no. 10 spot on the back of three road wins.

The next rankings will be released the week of March 4 following the 22nd week of regular season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.

CHL Top-10 Rankings - Week 21

1. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL): With a trio of home wins, the Drakkar (46-8-3) find themselves back at no. 1 for the seventh time this season. Justin Gill (NYI) and Matyas Melovsky had three points each (1G, 2A) in a 5-1 win over Victoriaville on Feb. 22 while on Feb. 24, Julien Paille had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 victory versus Rimouski. A day later, the Drakkar again beat the Oceanic 3-0 behind a 17-save shutout from Charles-Edward Gravel. Baie-Comeau's 46 wins and 95 points leads the CHL.

Games this week: @ Moncton (Feb. 29), @ Saint John (March 1), @ Acadie-Bathurst (March 2)

2. Saskatoon Blades (WHL): After four weeks in the no. 1 spot, the Blades dropped to no. 2 in Week 21 after defeat in their lone contest. The Blades lost a 4-1 decision to Brandon on Feb. 23 but continue to lead the WHL in wins (42), points (89) and winning percentage (.781).

Games this week: vs. Red Deer (Feb. 27), vs. Lethbridge (March 1), @ Brandon (March 2)

3. London Knights (OHL): London (42-12-3) won twice on the road last week to remain in the no. 3 spot. Michael Simpson made 18 saves Feb. 23 in a 5-0 win over Kingston while a day later, Denver Barkey (PHI) had the lone goal in the shootout in a 4-3 victory against Ottawa. The Knights lead the OHL in wins (42), points (87) and winning percentage (.763).

Games this week: vs. Oshawa (Feb. 28 - CHL Game of the Week), @ Kitchener (March 1), @ Flint (March 2)

4. Prince George Cougars (WHL): Riding an 8-0-1 streak, the Cougars (40-15-3) climb two spots in Week 21. On Feb. 24, Terik Parascak scored twice in a 5-1 road victory in Kamloops and a day later concluded their week with a 6-5 shootout win against Kelowna where Funk scored his eighth hat-trick of the season and took his season total to 56 goals. The Cougars' 40 wins are the second most in the WHL.

Games this week: vs. Spokane (March 1), vs. Spokane (March 2)

5. Saginaw Spirit (OHL): in three contests last week, the Spirit (41-15-1) went 2-1-0. Their week began with a 3-1 victory against Flint on Feb. 21 in the latest I-75 Divide Cup battle where Owen Beck (MTL) had the game-winner. On Feb. 23 they dropped a 6-3 decision to North Bay but rebounded a day later to beat Brantford 5-4 in overtime thanks to Zayne Parekh's winner. The 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow hosts own the second best record in the OHL.

Games this week: @ Brantford (March 1), @ Owen Sound (March 2), @ Guelph (March 3)

6. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL): In three games last week, the Volts (40-11-6) went 1-1-1 as they drop two spots. They collected a point Feb. 23 in a 3-2 overtime loss to Shawinigan but on Feb. 24, they defeated Saint John 9-2 behind a five-point outing from Noah Reinhart (3G, 2A). They concluded their week with a 4-1 loss to Rouyn-Noranda on Feb. 25. Drummondville's 40 wins this year are the most in the QMJHL's Western Conference.

Games this week: vs. Charlottetown (March 1), vs. Sherbrooke (March 3)

7. Portland Winterhawks (WHL): A pair of road wins over Victoria meant Portland (39-14-3) stayed pat at no. 7 this week. James Stefan had three points (2G, 1A) in a 6-2 win Feb. 23 while a day later Nate Danielson (DET) and Tyson Jugnauth (SEA) each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory. The Winterhawks trail only Prince George in the WHL's Western Conference.

Games this week: vs. Moose Jaw (Feb. 28), vs. Regina (March 1), vs. Victoria (March 2)

8. Everett Silvertips (WHL): the Silvertips (38-18-4) played just once last week but made it count with a 3-1 road win against Seattle on Feb. 24 as 2024 NHL Draft prospect Julius Miettinen had a goal and an assist. Everett's 38 wins are the fourth most in the WHL this year.

Games this week: vs. Moose Jaw (March 1), vs. Regina (March 2)

9. Swift Current Broncos (WHL): The Broncos (32-19-6) extended its win streak to six games after a home-and-home sweep of Medicine Hat. Luke Mistelbacher scored twice on Feb. 23 in a 4-1 home win while a day later, Connor Hvidston (ANA) buried the OT winner in a 4-3 road victory. The Broncos are one of four Eastern Conference clubs to have recorded at least 70 points this season.

Games this week: @ Red Deer (March 1), @ Edmonton (March 2)

10. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL): On the back of three road wins, that pushed the club's winning streak to five games, the Huskies (38-14-5) return to the CHL Top 10 for the first time since Week 17. Daniil Bourash had a hat-trick Feb. 22 in a 7-3 victory against Val-d'Or while on Feb. 24 they secured a 5-3 win over Blainville-Boisbriand thanks to a three-point (2G, 1A) effort from Andrei Loshko (SEA). A day later, the Huskies beat fellow CHL Top 10 side Drummondville 4-1. The Huskies' 38 wins are the third most in the QMJHL this year.

Games this week: vs. Chicoutimi (March 1), vs. Chicoutimi (March 2)

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