Week 8 Preview: First-Class Canadians


Ottawa, Ont. — As the weeks fly by, it’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the one-third mark of the 2017-18 CCHL season — but here we are.

Last week gave us entertainment in spades; Carleton Place was nothing short of dominant, Brockville shocked Ottawa in the nation’s capital and the Nepean Raiders emerged from their early-season grave.

Week 8 promises more of the same, as the scramble for top-four positioning tightens up and the likes of Navan and Kemptville become more desperate towards the bottom of the standings.

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STORYLINES

  1. Untouchable Canadians | First-place Carleton Place (16-2-1) outshot its opponents 149-49 over its last three games. The Canadians have won seven in a row and look unstoppable. Will Pembroke (Fri. Oct. 20) or Smiths Falls (Sun. Oct. 22) be able to hang with high-flying C.P.?
  2. Durrell General Hospital | The second-place Ottawa Jr. Senators (12-3-2) have an extensive injured list — Owen Guy, Nick Lalonde, Griffin McGregor, etc. — and face a tough back-to-back in Week 8. Will the undermanned Jr. Sens drop points against mid-table Nepean (Wed. Oct. 18) or Kanata (Thu. Oct. 19)?
  3. Do or Die Time | For the Kemptville 73’s (3-13-1) and, to a lesser extent, the Navan Grads (5-12-0) and Smiths Falls Bears (6-11-0), the time is now to turn around the 2017-18 season. Kemptville has tapered off after an initial boost with Jeff Jordan’s hiring; Navan is struggling at both ends of the rink; Smiths Falls lost three not-close games last week. All are at least five points out of a playoff spot.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thu., Oct. 18:  Ottawa at Kanata (7:30 p.m.)

Fri., Oct. 19: Hawkesbury at Brockville (7:30 p.m.)

Sun., Oct. 21: Navan at Nepean (2:30 p.m.)