Raiders, Silvertips, and Winterhawks Factor into KIA CHL Top 10 Rankings
January 16, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Toronto, Ont. - The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week seventeen edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2018-19 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL's Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.
Appearing on the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings for their fifteenth-straight week, the Prince Albert Raiders remained the toast of the Western Hockey league and CHL with a 37-5-0-1 record. Beginning their week with a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Raiders rebounded with a 4-2 win over the Portland Winterhawks and 7-3 victory against the Calgary Hitmen. Cole Fonstad (Montreal Canadiens) has come on strong in recent weeks for the Raiders, posting eight points (4G-4A) in six games to begin 2019. With a 7-3-0-0 record in their past 10 games, the Raiders will look to continue their winning ways on their biennial trip through British Columbia, beginning Wednesday, January 16 (7:00 p.m. PT) at the CN Centre against the Prince George Cougars.
Sliding a single spot, but remaining in the top five, the Everett Silvertips remained strong with a 33-9-1-1 record. Road wins over the Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals was coupled with a home loss to the Tri-City Americans this past week, helping them maintain their 11-point lead in the WHL's Western Conference and U.S. Division. Bryce Kindopp has continued his strong point-per-game pace with eight points (4G-4A) in six games during the 2019 calendar year. The 19-year-old from Lloydminster, Alta. has had a career-best season with 45 points (22G-23A) in 44 games. The Silvertips return to the ice Friday, January 18 (7:35 p.m. PT) when they play host to the Rockets at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Earning an honourable mention in the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings this week were the Portland Winterhawks, who remain hot on the heels of the Silvertips for first place in the U.S. Division and Western Conference. Recently wrapping up their East Division road trip with a 5-1-0-0 record, Portland has enjoyed success over the past two weeks, led by an 11-point (4G-7A) stretch by 19-year-old forward Jake Gricius in the team's last six games. With three meetings left in the regular season series against the Silvertips, the Winterhawks will look for another victory when the teams meet Saturday, January 19 (5:00 p.m. PT) at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore.
Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - Week 17:
Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Prince Albert Raiders (37-5-0-1) 1 15
2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (35-7-0-1) 2 14
3 London Knights (29-6-4-1) 6 13
4 Drummondville Voltigeurs (33-9-1-0) 5 12
5 Everett Silvertips (33-9-1-1) 4 8
6 Ottawa 67's (30-9-3-1) 3 14
7 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (31-9-2-1) 8 15
8 Halifax Mooseheads (29-10-2-1) 7 17
9 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (27-10-4-1) - 4
10 Niagara IceDogs (24-10-7-0) 9 7
Honourable Mention:
Saginaw Spirit (26-12-2-2) - 3
Portland Winterhawks (26-12-3-2) - 1
Guelph Storm (22-12-4-4) - 2
Western Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2019
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