U22 Elite Matchups to Watch this Weekend
This weekend the U22 Elite season continues with limited matchups due to the holiday, but that doesn’t mean the excitement and potential isn’t there. Well there are only three top 10 teams in action this weekend, there are a lot of opportunities for teams to move up in the standings, including playoff positioning with the top 16 making the post-season.
If you are unfamiliar with the U22 Elite league they run on the same point system as the PWHL with 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win, and a single point for an overtime loss.
Kicking off the weekend slate is the Cambridge Rivulettes (10) vs the North York Storm (5). This is the only top 10 matchup of the weekend, a win in regulation for the Rivulettes could move them up to sixth in the standings, while the Storm could jump to fourth. Both teams have a similar goal differential this season with a 1 and 0 respectfully. Expect this to be a tight matchup that may require extra time and while we are still early in the season the intensity continues to grow. Should the match go to extra time the Rivulettes could still move up to seventh, while the Storm can still move to fourth jumping over the Mississauga Hurricanes.
Also tonight is the London Devilettes taking on the Bluewater Hawks (18). Both teams are currently outside of the playoff pictures, but the Hawks have the potential to move into the top 16 this weekend with two matchups on the schedule. A regulation win tonight would move the Harks into fourteenth, paired with a regulation win on Sunday against the Windsor Southwest Wildcats could see them move up to the top 10.
Heading into Saturday's slate we have the battle of Ottawa with the East Ottawa Stars taking on the Ottawa Senators (2). This is a big weekend for the Senators, as they look to takeover the number one spot from the Stoney Creek Sabres who don’t play. With two matchups they have the opportunity to jump into first and take a four-point lead. With the East Ottawa Stars not in the top-20 it is likely the Senators jump into the number one spot Saturday.
Then the OHA Mavericks (20) taking on the Kingston Ice Wolves (15). The Mavericks are looking to jump into a playoff position this weekend with two matchups on the slate the first against the Ice Dogs, then another Sunday against the East Ottawa Stars, a singular regulation win would jump them into the top 16, while a regulation win in both could see them jump to the top 10 depending on other results. While the Ice Wolves are very narrowly in a playoff position they have played the least amount of games in the top 16, with only 4 games so far this season. This weekend gives them the opportunity to catch up in games played and jump ahead in the standings. A win against the Mavericks is likely and will catapult them into the top 10, while a second win Sunday could move them into the top 5 though they are facing the current number two, Ottawa Senators who are looking to takeover the top spot and gain a lead on the Stoney Creek Sabres.
Rounding out Saturday's matchups to watch is the Toronto Leaside Wildcats (14) taking on the Cambridge Rivulettes (10). Both teams have an opportunity this weekend to move up in the standings. In the matchup expect Cambridge to have the slight edge as they come in off a tough matchup against the North York Storm (5), they will be looking to end their weekend on a high, if they can pull out a win against the Storm and Wildcats they could jump up to fourth.
Then Sunday kicks off with the North York Storm (5) vs the Toronto Aeros (11). Both teams head into the weekend with 8 games played so it is the most evenly comparable matchup. The Aeros might come in a little stronger to start the game, coming in rested, while the Storm come in after a matchup against the Cambridge Rivulettes (10) Friday night. Depending how Friday night goes you may get a different Storm team, after a loss teams tend to come back stronger and feistier to try and wrap the weekend up with a win.
This weekend there is a lot of potential to shake up the standings, so stay tuned for more as the games progress @beckpointmedia on socials.
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