A big tournament weekend meant a few fewer regular season games, but that didn’t stop a handful of teams from trying to shake up the standings.
Minor Atom A
After a big weekend win over the Scarborough Ice Raiders, the second place Willowdale Blackhawks (19-3-5) managed to come within two of first place Forest Hill (20-1-5). Willowdale has now won five of their last six games with their last loss coming at the expense of the first place Forest Hill squad. Teams should be watchful of the third place North York Knights (16-7-3) who have won seven straight.
In the West, the third place Toronto Eagles (15-5-5) delivered a big upset on Sunday, defeating the first place Vaughan Rangers (20-4-0) 7-0. The Eagles now sit five points back of the Rangers with seven games left to play.
The second place West Mall Lightning (16-5-4) pulled within four points of first after a 1-1 draw with the Toronto Wolverines (12-7-6). The Vaughan Panthers (14-8-4) will be a team to watch going down the stretch. The Panthers have won three straight and sit eight points back of first.
Other finals from Minor Atom A weekend action:
East – York Mills 3, East Enders Ticats 2
East – Willowdale Blackhawks 4, Markham Islanders 1
West – West Mall Lightning 2, Toronto Royals 0
West – Toronto Royals 4, Toronto Eagles 2
Atom AA
Much like their Minor Atom A counterparts, the Vaughan Rangers (24-5-2) sit in a comfortable first place position after back-to-back weekend wins. The Rangers, however, will have to keep up the pace if they want to remain in first. Both the Vaughan Panthers (19-2-6) and Streetsville Tigers (21-4-2) sit six points back of first with four games in hand. The next nine games will be vital in determining who comes out on top.
In the East, North Toronto (23-1-3) has a tight reign over first place, sitting eight points ahead of the second place North York Knights (18-6-5) with two games in hand. The third place West Hill Golden Hawks (14-6-7) inched their way up the standings on the weekend after two back-to-back wins. The Golden Hawks have now won three of their last four.
Other finals from Atom AA weekend action:
East – York Mills 3, Ted Reeve Thunder 3
East – Toronto Shamrocks 9, Scarborough Young Bruins 0
West – Humberview Huskies 1, Ice Warriors 5
West – Mississauga North Stars 6, Greater Toronto Capitals 2
Minor Midget AA
The first place Mississauga North Stars (24-3-1) extended their winning streak to seven after a 6-1 win over the Toronto Eagles (14-10-3). The North Stars sit three points ahead of the second place Mississauga Jets (22-2-0) who have three games in hand over their first place Mississauga rivals. Teams should keep an eye on the third place Vaughan Panthers (19-5-3) who won their fifth straight game on Sunday.
In the East, North Toronto (16-3-6) recorded a big 3-1 win over the Markham Islanders (5-21-1) that helped them move into third. North Toronto now sits seven points back of the first place North York Knights (21-4-2) with two games in hand. Only eight points separate the fourth and first place teams.
Other finals from Minor Midget AA weekend action:
East – Markham Islanders 1, East Enders Ticats 3
East – Toronto Aeros 5, Forest Hill 3
West – Vaughan Rangers 3, Ice Warriors 5
West – Toros 2, Humber Valley Sharks 6
SCHEDULE | AROUND THE G: Jan. 6-8 | STANDINGS |