Rockets Rise While Warriors, Broncos Hold Steady in CHL Top 10 Rankings

January 18, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release

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The Moose Jaw Warriors continued to challenge for the top spot in the rankings, holding tight in second for another week. After beginning their week with 8-3 and 8-2 wins over the Calgary Hitmen and Edmonton Oil Kings respectively, the Warriors were involved in a pair of one-goal games. They lost 4-3 to the Prince Albert Raiders and edged the Medicine Hat Tigers 5-4 in overtime. Jayden Halbgewachs (San Jose Sharks) and captain Brett Howden (Tampa Bay Lightning) each recorded 11 (4G-7A) and 10 (4G-6A) points respectively to lead the Warriors to their three victories.

The WHL's scoring race is heating up heading into late January with Brayden Burke and Halbgewachs separated by two points. This week marks the 15th straight week in the CHL Top 10 Rankings. The Warriors return to action Friday, January 19 (7:00 p.m. CST) when they head east on the Trans-Canada to do battle with the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup host Regina Pats.

Holding secure in fourth place for another week were the Swift Current Broncos, who also marked their 14th straight week on the CHL Top 10 rankings. Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers) backstopped the Broncos to a 4-0 win over the Raiders Friday with a 29-save shutout, followed up by a 20-save performance in a 9-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers. Firing on all cylinders at the moment, the trio of captain Glenn Gawdin (Calgary Flames), Tyler Steenbergen (Arizona Coyotes) and Aleksi Heponiemi (Florida Panthers) that dominated the first portion of the season have reunited following the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, tallying 13 points (3G-10A) in their past two games. The Broncos being a U.S. Division road trip Wednesday, January 17 (7:05 p.m. PST) against the Tri-City Americans.

Moving up in the Top 10 rankings this week were the Kelowna Rockets, who jumped up one spot to ninth for their fourth straight week on the charts. Forward Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia Flyers) and captain Cal Foote (Tampa Bay Lightning) led the way for the Rockets in three games this week with six (2G-4A) and five (1G-4A) points respectively. The Rockets started their week with a 7-4 victory over the Spokane Chiefs, tripled up the Seattle Thunderbirds by a 6-2 score and dropped a close 3-2 result to the Vancouver Giants, remaining in first place in the B.C. Division. The Rockets are back in action Wednesday, January 17 (7:05 p.m. PST), hosting the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Prospera Place.

Earning honourable mentions this week were the Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks. The Wheat Kings earned three of a possible four points from their two games, beating the Hitmen 4-1 before losing 4-3 in overtime to the Tigers. The Winterhawks played three games, beating the Americans 5-1, edging the Thunderbirds 5-4 and dropping a 4-3 shootout game to the Everett Silvertips.

The Wheat Kings are in action Wednesday, January 17 (7:05 p.m. PST), beginning a seven-game road trip with a date against the Chiefs. The Winterhawks will also hit the ice Wednesday, January 17 (7:00 p.m. PST) as the Victoria Royals pay a visit to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2018

• NEWS Pats Sign Hockey Operations Staff to Multi-Year - Regina Pats
• Chiefs News: Brkin Blanks Brandon in Suh-Wheat 3-0 Victory - Spokane Chiefs
• Two-Goal Third Period Sinks Raiders Against Regina - Prince Albert Raiders
• Rockets Rise While Warriors, Broncos Hold Steady in CHL Top 10 Rankings - WHL
• Pats to Make Hockey Operations Announcement Thursday - Regina Pats
• GIANTS SIGN DEFENCEMAN JOEL SEXSMITH - Vancouver Giants
• SPOKANE DEFENSEMAN SET TO WEAR THE â??C' AT PRESTIGIOUS EVENT - Spokane Chiefs
• Smith Named Captain of Team Orr for Top Prospects Game - Spokane Chiefs
• CHIEFS' SMITH TO SERVE AS CAPTAIN OF TEAM ORR AT 2018 SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME - WHL

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