Sports stats



WHL Western Hockey League

Saskatoon Blades Hold Strong in Third Place of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

September 25, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Toronto, Ont. - The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week two edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2019-20 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL's Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

The Saskatoon Blades remain as the top-ranked Western Hockey League team on the Kia CHL Top-10 rankings at third overall after going 1-1-0-0 during the first three days of the WHL Opening Week. Splitting their first two games of the season against the Prince Albert Raiders in a home-and-home venture, the Blades collected a 3-2 overtime win on Friday on the road, but fell 1-0 on Saturday night at home. Playing at home this weekend, the Blades will host East Division newcomers, the Winnipeg ICE, on Friday, September 27 (7:00 p.m. MT) at the SaskTel Centre.

Following directly behind the Blades is the Edmonton Oil Kings in fourth place. The Oil Kings' season began with back-to-back wins against the Red Deer Rebels. Delivering a 4-2 victory on Saturday and a 4-1 win on Sunday during their home opener, Edmonton sits tied for first in the WHL's overall standings with four points. Through the team's first two games, Riley Sawchuk and Wyatt McLeod are tied for the team scoring lead with three points each. Edmonton will head back out on the road against the Calgary Hitmen on Friday, September 27 (7:00 p.m. MT) before returning home to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday, September 29 (4:00 p.m. MT).

In sixth place overall are the Vancouver Giants. The Giants also sit tied for first overall in the WHL standings after sweeping the Prince George Cougars 5-3 and 4-1 on Friday and Saturday night; respectively. Defenceman Seth Bafaro led the Giants to victory while collecting five points (2G-3A) and leading WHL blueliners in the defensive scoring standings. The Giants will host the Portland Winterhawks for their home opener on Friday, September 27 (7:30 p.m. PT) at the Langley Events Centre before traveling to the B.C.'s interior to face the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday, September 28 (7:00 p.m. PT).

Entering the CHL's Top-10 Rankings for the first time this season as an honourable mention is the Portland Winterhawks, who are among the leaders tied for first in the WHL's overall standings as well. After an explosive 6-1 performance against the Tri-City Americans on Saturday at home, the Winterhawks pulled off a 4-3 win over the Blazers on the road. Six different Winterhawks skaters recorded a pair of points from the two weekend games. After meeting their cross-division rivals, the Giants, on Friday, September 27 (7:30 p.m. PT), the Winterhawks will make their way through the Central Division as part of a seven-game road trip.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - Week 2

Rank: Team: Last Week Ranked: Total Weeks Ranked:

1 Ottawa 67's (2-0-0-0) 4 2

2 Chicoutimi Sagueneens (1-0-1-0) 2 2

3 Saskatoon Blades (1-1-0-0) 3 2

4 Edmonton Oil Kings (2-0-0-0) 8 2

5 Sherbrooke Phoenix (2-0-0-0) 9 2

6 Vancouver Giants (2-0-0-0) 10 2

7 Barrie Colts (2-0-0-0) - 1

8 Saginaw Spirit (0-1-1-0) 7 2

9 London Knights (0-2-0-0) 1 2

10 Halifax Mooseheads (0-2-0-0) 6 2

Honourable Mention:

Cape Breton Eagles (2-0-0-0) - -

Portland Winterhawks (2-0-0-0) - -

Kitchener Rangers (1-0-0-0) - -

Check out the Western Hockey League Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central