Power Rankings Month #2

One month into the NOJHL season, we've had a chance to see what all nine teams bring to the table. Who is stepping up? Who is making an early statement? Can the Thunderbirds hold their top spot?

Number 9: Blind River Beavers

Previous Rank: 9

Record: 0-8

Verdict:  The Beavers start the season off on an eight game losing streak, and a horrifying 8.5 goals per-game average. If the Beavers want any chance of a winning season, the turn around must occur soon to prevent digging themselves a deeper hole. 

Number 8: Mattawa Blackhawks

Previous Rank: 8

Record: 0-8

Verdict:   The Blackhawks are another team looking for their first win on the year already eight losses in. The Blackhawks are also giving up their fair share of goals, averaging 7.5 goals against a game. The Blackhawks though appear to be coming together offensively and are continuing to grow as a young expansion team. 

Number 7: Powassan Voodoos

Previous Rank: 7

Record: 2-4-0-1

Verdict:   The Voodoos started out the season promising with a close double-overtime loss to a powerful Cochrane team, but that was the shining point. Followed by two blowout losses at home, Powassan wasn't the same team they were opening night. The Voodoos' must be able to compete with top teams to move up the ranks in this competitive year, wins on the year come from Blind River and Mattawa won't push them to where they need to be.

Number 6: Soo Thunderbirds

Previous Rank: 1 

Record : 4-2

Verdict:   The league favourite Thunderbirds have come out to start this season slow, and have fallen from the top spot down to number 6. The Thunderbirds dropped two big division games to the Barons and Wildcats, falling to third in the West division. Two of the four wins come from one sided games against the Beavers, but the Thunderbirds also defeated their rival Barons in a close 2-1 victory. If the Tbirds want to climb back up and own their division, they must beat teams like the Wildcats and Barons regularly. 

Number 5: Cochrane Crunch

Previous Rank: 2

Record: 6-2

Verdict:    After a dominating preseason, the Cochrane Crunch have fallen back down to ice level. Of the Crunch's eight first month games, they recorded only two loses. These two loses two came against the Eskimos and Barons in their only meetings so far. Although both loses were a 2-1 game, losing these games sets Cochrane back. Until Cochrane can beat a team on their level they will stick to the middle of the pack. 

  

Number 4: Abitibi Eskimos 

Previous Rank: 4

Record: 4-3-0-1

Verdict:     The Eskimos are a team doing what they need to do in the early part of the season, but need the extra little push to make themselves a top team. With wins over top teams such as Kirkland Lake or Cochrane, the Eskimos prove that they do have what it takes to be a top team in this league. The consistency is needed when playing a team such as Sudbury who they are yet to defeat this year in two meeting. 

Numer 3: Elliot Lake Wildcats 

Previous Rank: 7

Record: 5-1

Verdict:    The Elliot Lake Wildcats began their franchise with a loss to the division rival Barons, but would bounce back. The Wildcats came back with an impressive five game wining streak, which included wins over teams such as Sudbury and the Soo.With the second lowest goals against per-game average at 2.8, the Wildcats look to make a statement and increase their winning streak to six games against the defending champions Gold Minders. 

Number 2: Sudbury Nickel Barons 

Previous Rank: 5

Record: 7-2-0-1

Verdict:    The Nickel Barons are on top of the West division and making a serious effort for top spot in the league with a 7-2-0-1 record. Along the way, picking up wins against rivals such as the Thunderbirds and top teams like Cochrane and Abitibi. Sudbury is a team that will be battling for the league championship  throughout the year, but needs to play more consistent hockey against division rivals.

Number 1: Kirkland Lake Gold Miners

Previous Rank: 3

Record: 6-1

Verdict:    Defending champion Gold Miners clawed their way back up to the number one spot in this months power rankings. Starting the season off 6-1, defeating top challengers along the way and only being knocked off once by the rival Eskimos. The Miners have only allowed nine goals in seven games, earning a spectacular 1.3 goals against per-game average while still scoring an average of 7.6 goals per-game. The Miners look to remain king of the hill going into October.