Trio of CHL clashes on Sportsnet this weekend
Wednesday February 11, 2015
A trifecta of CHL action can be seen across the country on Sportsnet this weekend as games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature some of the best playoff races from across the CHL.
Here’s a look at what’s on the schedule.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13 – Shawinigan Cataractes (27-21-1-2) at Halifax Mooseheads (26-22-3-1) (7:00 PM Eastern)
Live on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, Pacific and TVA Sports
Draft eligible centreman Anthony Beauvillier and the Shawinigan Cataractes visit Halifax on Friday night as they look to shake a three game skid. Beauvillier is the QMJHL’s leader in both shots on goal (264) and faceoff wins (715/1219, 58.7%). He leads the Cataractes with 34 goals, 42 assists and 62 points in 51 games.
The Halifax Mooseheads feature dynamic forwards in Winnipeg Jets first round pick Nikolaj Ehlers and top draft eligible winger Timo Meier. The two players carry lengthy point streaks into the weekend with Ehlers on a 27-game trend dating back to October 29 and Meier with points in his last 21 contests dating back to November 22.
The Cataractes look to strike back at Halifax after a 6-3 loss on November 27 when Meier and Ehlers were at their best. Meier scored four times and Ehlers pitched in with five helpers.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (23-23-2-3) at Halifax Mooseheads (26-22-3-1) (7:00 PM Eastern)
Live on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific
Hockey Day in Canada weekend continues in Halifax on Saturday when the Mooseheads host the rival Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The Eagles enter the weekend having won eight of their last 10 contests to bring themselves within five points of the Mooseheads of the Maritimes Division.
Cape Breton is powered offensively by overaged forward Kyle Farrell who leads the team with 36 goals, 41 assists and 77 points in 51 games. Farrell is joined by draft eligible winger Evgeny Svechnikov who was the NHL Central Scouting Service’s 21st ranked North American skater in the midterm rankings released January 20.
The Screaming Eagles will try and combat the dynamic duo of Nikolaj Ehlers and Timo Meier in the eighth of nine meetings between the two clubs this season. Halifax leads the season series with a 4-2-1-0 record against Cape Breton.
Sportsnet’s CHL broadcast team is onsite in Halifax on both Friday and Saturday with host Rob Faulds joined by analysts John Shannon and Todd Warriner, while RJ Broadhead calls play-by-play alongside analyst Sam Cosentino. Saturday’s game features a special ceremonial puck drop with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15 – Kingston Frontenacs (19-21-5-3) at Ottawa 67’s (27-20-2-1) (3:00 PM Eastern)
Live on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific
The scene shifts to the OHL on Sunday as the Kingston Frontenacs visit Travis Konecny and the Ottawa 67’s. The Frontenacs, who are eighth in the Eastern Conference in a tight race with Belleville, Mississauga and Peterborough, are in the hunt for valuable points in a home-and-home with Ottawa on Sunday before a Family Day matinee on Monday.
NHL Draft prospect Lawson Crouse leads the Frontenacs with 19 goals on the season. He’ll square off with former minor hockey teammate Travis Konecny in the nation’s capital. Konecny has been hot of late, registering points in five of his last six games since he put forth a strong showing for Team Orr in the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
The two East Division opponents match up in their seventh of eight meetings this season, having split the season series at three wins apiece.
Ottawa’s quest for home ice advantage continues this weekend as they try and stay ahead of the red hot Niagara IceDogs in the Eastern Conference.