Monday, April 18, 2011

IceDogs’ Darren Archibald Named OHL Player of the Week

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Darren Archibald of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 17 and the conclusion of the second round playoffs. Archibald scored four goals with two assists for six points in three games earning a plus-minus rating of pus-5.

Archibald was instrumental in guiding the IceDogs to a five-game series win over the Oshawa Generals in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. He scored the game-winner plus an assist as second star of the 5-3 Game three victory on Monday night, and then scored again in Game four on Wednesday to help the IceDogs to a 6-1 victory. His best effort was on Friday night in the Game five finale where he scored the game’s first two goals including his league-best 10th of the playoffs less than four minutes into the contest and added an assist to pace the IceDogs to a 7-3 win over the Generals where he was named first star of the game. The IceDogs advance to the Rogers Eastern Conference Championship Series for the first time since moving to Niagara where they prepare to face the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors beginning Tuesday night at the Hershey Centre.

Archibald, a 21-year-old from Newmarket, ON, is playing in his third and final OHL season. He currently ranks seventh in playoff scoring with 14 points in nine games after scoring a career-high 66 points in 61 games splitting time between the IceDogs and the Barrie Colts. Earlier this season Archibald signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a Free Agent.

Archibald’s teammate Dougie Hamilton was also considered for the award along with Zack Kassian of the Windsor Spitfires. Hamilton recorded eight points in three games including two goals and six assists, while Kassian scored four goals and two assists for six points in four games. In goal, the IceDogs’ Mark Visentin won three games posting a goals-against-average of 2.33 and save percentage of .940.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: