Power Rankings in the first few weeks of the season are rather pointless. For one it is such a small sample size that you really can't come to any quantifiable conclusions. The big thing is though that so many keys players are still at camp that you dont really get a true picture of what a team is capable of.
That being said I have committed to doing a power rankings this season based on a formula I have been fooling around with the last few seasons. It is weighted towards recent play but since we are early in the season that doesn't mean much. At the very least organizing teams into a list with flawed rankings due to the fact that we have only played 1 week with some teams only playing 1 game will give people something to complain about. If sports have taught us anything it is that people are happy when they get to complain (@Petes_Updates I'm looking in your direction).
Enjoy but keep in mind that these will be subject to some wild swings over the next few weeks while teams gel and slowly see their star players trickle back into their lineups.
1) Windsor Spitfires 3-0-0 Power Rank % (PR%) .98
Couldn't have asked for a better opening week. Michael DiPietro should be on his way to POW honours after picking up 3 wins with a GAA of 1.00 and a SV% of .966
Games This Week: Sept 28 vs Kit
2) Niagara Ice Dogs 1-0-0 PR% .9567
This Ice Dogs took game 1 of the K-9 cup Challenge presented by TSN 1150 and 610 CKTB. They ranking takes advantage of the small sample size but their young players showed great growth in that first game. Looks like Niagara his stepping on the gas in their Jr Hockey cycle.
Games This Week: Sept 29 vs Eri; Sept 30 vs Ptb; Oct 1 @ Ptb
3) Oshawa Generals 2-0-0 PR% .9202
The young Gens came out flying this weekend as their 15 goals were tops in the league. They steamrolled Sudbury and took advantage of a Soo team missing some key pieces at NHL camp. They will be a threat all year in the East with their depth and speed.
Games This Week: Sept 28 @ Ptb; Sept 29 @ Gue; Oct 1 vs Ldn
4) North Bay Battalion 2-0-0 PR% .9108
In the OHL Fan Boys season preview podcast Neate Sager and Steve McLean talked about Stan Butlers ability to take cast offs from other teams and have them have career years on the Battalion. Well with 5 goals on the opening weekend former Storm forward Luke Burghardt is 29% of the way to a career high in goals.
Games This Week: Sept 27 vs Sby; Sept 29 vs SSM
5) Kingston Frontenacs 2-0-0 PR% .8958
Kingston isn't wasting any time showing the league how they will win games this year. Great goaltending by Helvig (2 wins .937 sv%) and timely scoring from Robertson (3 goals including OT winner). Have to be pleased with the supplemental scoring from 2017 1st round pick Cody Morgan who had goals in both games.
Games This Week: Sept 29th @ Ldn; Sept 30 @ Sar; Oct 1 @ Ham
6) Flint Firebirds 2-0-0 PR% .88
Flint jumps out to an impressive start even while leading returning scorer Ryan Moore continues to serve a suspension from the playoffs. Newest Firebird Nicolas Mattinen hasnt wasted anytime showing the Flint faithful what he can offer with 3 points in 2 games. Not bad for a player whose career high is 10 points.
Games This Week: Sept 30th vs Ott
7) Ottawa 67s 2-1-0 PR % .6455
The 67s got absolutely run over by the Colts in the opening game of the season. They recovered nicely by winning their next 2 while riding a hot power play.
Games This Week: Sept 29 @ Sag; Sept 30 @ Fli; Oct 1 @ Sar
8) Barrie Colts 1-1-0 PR% .6017
Thumped the 67s on opening night only to follow that up with a tough loss at the hands of North Bay the next night. If they offence clicks like it did on opening night this will be an exciting team to watch but can they do enough to stop chances at the other end?
Games This Week: Sept 28 vs SSM; Sept 29 @ SBY; Sept 30 vs Ham
9) Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds 1-1-0 PR% .5815
Dominated a depleted London Knights team on Sunday playing their 3rd game in 3 nights after the shorthanded Hounds struggled vs Oshawa the night before. Rumours swirl around the Soo that Hamilton is pushing hard for Raaymakers. Could the Vet D that they are looking for be playing in the other steel city?
Games This Week: Sept 28 @ Bar; Sept 29 @ NB; Oct 1 @ Sby
10) Sarnia Sting 1-1-0 PR% .5502
The Sting split their opening weekend although they did so without the services of their star forward Jordan Kyrou who is still at NHL camp. He will add another dimension once he returns
Games This Week: Sept 30 vs Kgn; Oct 1 vs Ott
11) Kitchener Rangers 1-1-0 PR% .5453
2nd year forward Riley Damiani had a great weekend with 3 points well on his way to the OHL sophmore jump in production. Team showed great poise by earning the split with a road win in Sarnia after dropping their opener at home vs Flint
Games This Week: Sept 28 @ Wsr; Sept 29 vs OS; Sept 30 @ Eri
12) Erie Otters 1-1-1 PR% .5445
Picked up a big opening win against the Petes on Thursday before losing a 3rd period lead vs Kingston and then dropping their final game of the week vs Ottawa. Tough way to start the season by only getting 3 points vs the East but one of their longest road trips of the year is now out of the way.
Games This Week: Sept 29 @ Nia; Sept 30 vs Kit
13) Owen Sound Attack 0-0-1 PR% .5429
Only 1 game on opening weekend for the Attack as they lost in a shootout vs the Firebirds. Outshot their opponents 46-27 but ran into a hot goalie. Wont be this far down the list for long as this team is dangerous
Games This Week: Sept 29 @ Kit; Sept 30 vs Miss
14) London Knights 1-2-0 PR% .3699
Knights were missing plenty of star power this weekend where they played 3 games in less than 48 hours with plenty of KM put on the bus in between. Special Teams were very unLondon like and should improve greatly in the coming weeks.
Games This Week: Sept 29th vs Kgn; Oct 1 @ Osh
15) Saginaw Spirit 0-1-1 PR% .3365
A popular sleeper pick by some did not have the opening week they had hoped for coming away with only 1 point from their 2 games with only 3 goals. They will need more out of Blade Jenkins who could only muster 3 shots on goal in their opening 2 games.
Games This Week: Sept 29 vs Ott; Sept 30 vs Gue
16) Guelph Storm 0-1-1 PR% .3139
Lost their home opener in a shootout before running into the wall that is known as Michael DiPietro. Their import Toropchenko looked strong but they will need more from the rest of their lineup. That said it has only been 2 games so I would not worry
Games This Week: Sept 29th vs Osh; Sept 30th @ Sag
17) Mississauga Steelheads 0-2-0 PR% .2631
Not the start the Steelheads wanted to their season after last year. If anything it magnifies this teams need to have Michael McLeod in the lineup.
Games This Week: Sept 29 vs Ham; Sept 30 @ OS
18) Sudbury Wolves 0-2-0 PR% .1836
The Wolves gave up 3 goals late to North Bay on Sunday to blow their lead. They were shorthanded 6.5 time per game this weekend. If they want to improve they will need to stay out of the box.
Games This Week: Sep 27 @ NB; Sept 29 vs Bar; Oct 1 Vs SSM
19) Peterborough Petes 0-1-0 PR% .1524
The Petes did not have the start to the season they had hoped for against the reigning OHL champion Erie Otters. Playing only 1 game hurts them in these power rankings but on the brightside they have no where to go but up and up is where they shall go
Games This Week: Sept 28 vs Osh; Sept 30 @ Nia; Oct 1 vs Nia
20) Hamilton Bulldogs 0-1-0 PR% .1433
Bulldogs looked strong at times vs the Ice Dogs but at the end of the day goaltending seemed to be the difference. They have the talent but will need Fulcher to play stronger and will also need better play from their defence.
Games This Week: Sept 29 @ Miss; Sept 30 @ Bar; Oct 1 vs Kgn
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