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Red-Hot Blades Make Way into Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

February 20, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Toronto, Ont. - The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty-two 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.

Still leading the Western Hockey League, the Prince Albert Raiders claimed second spot in this week's rankings with wins against the Swift Current Broncos and Moose Jaw Warriors and a pair of losses to the Brandon Wheat Kings. With Monday's 4-3 win against the Warriors, the Raiders surpassed the 1972-73 Saskatoon Blades for the second-most victories in a 68-game season with 47. With 10 games remaining in their season, the Raiders are on pace to surpass the 1971-72 Calgary Centennials, who hold the WHL record with 49 victories in 68 games. The Raiders will continue their pursuit of the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy Friday, February 22 (7:00 p.m. CT) as they play host to the Kootenay ICE.

Ranked in the seven spot for another week, the Everett Silvertips went 3-1-0-1 on a five-game stretch this past week. Their week started Thursday with a shootout loss to the Red Deer Rebels, but rebounded with a 3-1 win against the Kelowna Rockets Friday. After the Silvertips took a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds Saturday, they bounced back again with a pair of 4-1 wins against the Prince George Cougars. The Silvertips improved to 3-0-0-0 this season against the Cougars, outscoring them 14-3 in the process. Beginning a four-game home stand, the Silvertips will play host to the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday, February 22 (7:35 p.m. PT).

Finding their way into the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings this week were the Saskatoon Blades, who haven't lost in regulation since January 12, rattling off a 11-0-2-0 run in their past 13 games. Goaltender Nolan Maier has been a big part of the team's rise since the start of the calendar year, posting a 12-1-2-0 record, 2.33 goals-against-average, and a 0.918 save percentage. That has him tied for the most wins in the league during that span. On the cusp of clinching a spot in the 2019 WHL Playoffs, the Blades will make their final trip of the regular season to Manitoba, taking on the Brandon Wheat Kings Friday, February 22 (7:30 p.m. CT).

Earning honourable mentions this week were the Vancouver Giants and Portland Winterhawks.

Having already secured a spot in the 2019 WHL Playoff, the Giants continue to lead the B.C. Division, closing in on their first division crown since the 2009-10 season. The Giants can get closer to that goal Friday, February 22 (7:30 p.m. PT) when they host the Victoria Royals at the Langley Events Centre.

The Portland Winterhawks booked their spot in the 2019 WHL Playoffs Sunday with a 5-2 win against the Thunderbirds. Saturday, Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues) recorded the fourth shutout of his WHL career, 2-0 against the Red Deer Rebels, en route to capturing WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week and Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours. Wins Sunday and Monday against the Thunderbirds and Giants respectively were aided by back-to-back hat tricks from WHL leading scorer Joachim Blichfeld (San Jose Sharks), who became the first player in the WHL and CHL to reach 100 points this season. The Winterhawks are on the road Friday, February 22 (7:05 p.m. PT), closing out their season series against the Tri-City Americans.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - Week 22:

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:

1 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (49-7-0-1) 1 19

2 Prince Albert Raiders (47-8-1-2) 2 20

3 Ottawa 67's (44-9-3-2) 3 19

4 Drummondville Voltigeurs (44-10-2-0) 4 17

5 London Knights (39-10-6-1) 5 18

6 Halifax Mooseheads (42-12-2-1) 6 22

7 Everett Silvertips (41-14-1-2) 7 13

8 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (40-13-2-1) 8 20

9 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (37-12-6-1) - 7

10 Saskatoon Blades (37-13-8-0) - 2

Honourable Mention:

Vancouver Giants (39-14-2-1) 10 14

Portland Winterhawks (36-16-3-3) - 1

Oshawa Generals (37-18-3-0) - 0

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