Ottawa, Ont. — The early days of Week 9 have provided more off-ice action than we saw in any of the previous eight weeks of the 2017-18 CCHL season; Jeremie Forget and Jordan Power committed to NCAA Division-I schools, while Kemptville captain Tyson Kirkby was dealt to Brockville in the first blockbuster trade of the season.
The playoff pack has already begun separating itself, with eighth-place Kanata owning a five-point lead on ninth-place Nepean, and the four teams below the dotted line will be feeling the pressure this week with ground to make up.
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STORYLINES
- Kirkby on the Move — Tyson Kirkby will make his Braves debut on Thursday night in Kanata; the Prescott, Ont. native had 17 points (4G, 13A) in 19 games prior to being dealt by the 73’s. How the trade affects both Brockville and Kemptville’s locker room dynamics will be interesting to watch.
- You Gotta Be Kitt-ing Me — Carleton Place captain Geoff Kitt brings an eight-game point streak into Week 9. The Dryden, Ont. native has 11 points (3G/8A) over that time frame, and with Navan and Nepean on the slate this week could very well extend it.
- More Like Cubs — The Smiths Falls Bears are in free fall, having won just once in the month of October and tumbled out of the playoff picture. With last-place Kemptville and second-place Ottawa ahead, Mark Grady’s team will need at least two points this weekend.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday: Brockville at Kanata (7:30 p.m.)
Friday: Nepean at Pembroke (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday: Rockland at Hawkesbury (7:30 p.m.)
