Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Latest CJHL rankings keep Lakers 5th, North Stars 15th

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers and Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League remained status quo this week in the latest installment of the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s top 20 rankings, which were announced Tuesday.

Sitting in first place in the SIJHL standings, the Lakers have been tabbed as the No. 5 club in the entire 128-team CJHL for another week while the North Stars were once again slotted in the No. 15 position in the weekly rankings, which are formulated in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.

Fort Frances holds down top spot in the SIJHL with 86 points on their 41-6-2-2 overall record.

Thunder Bay meanwhile sits second in the league at 36-10-1-4, nine points in arrears.

The Lakers magic number to clinch the SIJHL’s regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs stands at two with any points gained by them, or lost by the North Stars, totalling two will give Fort Frances the crown.

They can wrap up first place tonight on home ice as they host the Wisconsin Wilderness in a 7:30 p.m. start at Ice for Kids Arena.

There was no changed this week among the four clubs currently ahead of the Lakers in the CJHL top 20.

The Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) were ranked No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week followed by the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) and Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL), who sit second through fourth respectively.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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