Stonehouse Finishes Regular Season Strong With Chiefs
By Matt Pepper
Going into the last regular season game of the year, many were wondering if the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs could complete the season with 0 losses in league play.
They did that and went out with a bang.
CK product Brady Stonehouse scored two goals in the finale that saw the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs walk out of Windsor with a 6 – 1 route of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires. Stonehouse was excellent all game at both ends and continues to thrive with Elgin – Middlesex.
Elgin-Middlesex had one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory in Alliance AAA Hockey. Compiling a record of 25-0-8 and going 9-0-1 in their last 10 games, this team may be one of the deepest we’ve seen at this level in some time. A closer look at their stats:
Goals for: 147
Goals against: 55
This stat alone is incredible. Their goals for almost tripled what they gave up this season. This team is deep upfront, but are also committed to a strong defensive game. Their forwards backcheck regularly, their defense is mobile, and their goaltenders have been solid all year.
A lot of their success has to do with the tremendous coaching they have with former NHL player Jason Williams heading the team, along with another former NHL’er in Danny Syvret.
Their top four goal scorers (Owen Van Steensel, Hunter Haight, Brady Stonehouse and Zander Veccia) are all in the top ten in scoring this year. Van Steensel takes the crown as the top scorer in the league this year. All players scored over 20 goals this season ( Haight leads the league with 32). Maddox Amaral finished 12th in league scoring.
The Chiefs open the postseason with a series against the Lambton Jr. Sting this weekend. If you have a chance to catch some games, it will be well worth the drive as this series will be a feature some highly sought after players come the OHL Draft this summer.
Players of the game from Jan. 18th are:
#17 Brady Stonehouse, F, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs – Explosive skater who netted two goals in this game. Excellent speed up the wing, quick release on his shot, and one of the better back checkers in his age group.
#37 Maddox Amaral, F, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs – Smaller in stature but plays a bigger game. Aggressive forechecker and tough on the wall. Scored two big goals in this game. Protects the puck well and isn’t afraid to take it to the net. Excellent release on his second goal of the game.
#14 Owen Van Steensel, F, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs – Alliance’s leading scorer was all over the puck in this game, dishing to teammates and dishing out the physical play in open ice and along the boards. Plays a power forward style game and is dangerous whenever he has the puck. Difficult to move off the puck and contains well. Can shoot from anywhere.
#19 Hunter Haight, F, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs – Haight has excellent hands, Hockey sense, and vision. Some of the quickest hands in the game that can go forehand-to-backhand with ease. Scored the games opening goal with a deadly release that the goalie had no chance on. Dynamic player who uses his teammates well. Quick acceleration and gap breaking speed.
#91 Konner Smith, D, Windsor Jr. Spitfires – Power defenseman who used the body well in this game. Made many big hits at the blueline and along the boards to knock players off pucks. Had some good rushes in this game by taking the puck to the net and protecting well on the rush. Best game I’ve seen from this player this year.
#44 Owen Findlay, D, Windsor Jr. Spitfires – One of the better puck rushing defensemen in Alliance and continues to showcase excellent speed off the rush. Can make that first pass out of the zone and hit streaking forwards tape – to – tape. Good physical presence with his game.
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