Welcome to the Ontario Hockey League’s Midwest Division.
Dubbed in some quarters as the toughest division in Junior Hockey, the landscape this year is top heavy with Erie, Guelph & London are all contending, while Owen Sound & Kitchener are doing their best to stay competitive & not get buried.
And what a week for the division.
It started last night in Kitchener with the Rangers hosting London.
For the Knights, this was the first of 4 on the week as they host Guelph in a showdown Friday, visit Erie in another showdown Saturday and then wrap the week at home to Kingston on Sunday.
For their part, the division leading Otters also play 4 times this week; home to Mississauga tonight, at St Catharines tomorrow, home again Saturday when the Knights come to town and then back on the road Sunday night for another showdown, this time in Guelph against the Storm.
And Guelph ? They’ll go at London Friday, at Owen Sound Saturday & host Erie Sunday.
What a great week, a real test for the division heavyweights and Conference contenders.
The drawback ?
These key games all come at a time when several of the best players will be unavailable to their club teams as they’re up for spots with their National Junior teams.
I’m Fred Wallace