Anyone hoping for another opus on the boys of Ontario Jr. B lacrosse is in luck today.

Will Clarington keep steamrolling?

Will Halton Hills be back to the Ontario Jr. B finals?

And do fans of the 1-10 Mississauga Tomahawks now have a reason to believe?

A look at where they’ve been and where they’re going after the jump.

(Within the divisions, teams are in order according to points.)

MID-EAST

CLARINGTON GREEN GAELS

2008: 17-3, 2nd best in the East, dropped in the conference semis
Currently: 10-0, the only undefeated team in the league
Wins over: Markham, Orillia (3), Huntsville (2), Mississauga, Mimico, Newmarket, Halton Hills,
Who to watch: Given that this team isn’t too bad, maybe keep an eye on frequent Whitby Warriors call-up Zach Palmer and his league-leading 59 points. Fifth in league scoring is Ryan Serville with 44 and he currently has two GWG, as does Shayne Jackson. At the other end of the floor, goaltender Zack Higgins could make an impenetrable force field feel inadequate.
In the net: After a month-long hiatus, Higgins recently returned to lock up his second and third wins, guiding the Gaels to an 18-1 thumping of Huntsville and a 9-3 win over the formidable Halton Hills. In his absence, Matt Chamois came up with four wins. Third-stringer Lukas Coote was recently dealt to Mississauga.
Bottom line: Everything is just clicking right now for the Green Gaels; they’ve only had two games all season where they’ve won by less than eight. If coach of the year contender Jason Crosbie (Toronto Rock) can keep the team from resting on their high-scoring laurels, then a big Godspeed to anyone set to get in their way come playoff time.

NEWMARKET SAINTS

2008: 14-6, out in the first round
Currently: 8-1
Wins over: Mississauga, Orillia (2), Huntsville (2), Kahnawake, Cornwall, Mimico
Losses to: Clarington
Who they’ve lost from last year: Jacob Donato and Shawn Beer
Key gains: Declan Gunovski, a gritty defender who can contribute on the offensive end
Who to watch: Patrick Lee, 2nd in league scoring in ‘08 and currently third with 45 points, 31 of them coming on the set-up. Logan Hurst and Tyler Laplante each have two game-winners.
In the net: Adam Miles and Jordan Rothery are splitting time and have nearly identical GAAs and save percentages to show for it, with Miles holding down a 5.20 and .806, and Rothery with 5.50 and .800
Bottom line: They’re in a bit of an unfortunate situation in that while they currently have the second best winning percentage in the East, because of the Jr. B playoff format where the top team in each division is seeded 1, 2 and 3, Newmarket will likely land in spot #4. However, when asked about their strenghts, the team is quick to point to their experience, depth, conditioning, discipline and focus, five traits that will make a pesky thing like a middle-of-the-pack postseason seeding seem like a non-factor. Will face a tougher schedule in the second half.

HUNTSVILLE HAWKS

2008: 0-20
Currently: 3-8
Wins over: Gloucester, Mississauga (2)
Losses to: Markham, Clarington (2), Newmarket, Mimico, Newmarket, Nepean, Orillia
Who they’ve lost from last year: Captain Chad Schmeler, Assistant Luke Walton, goaltender Dylan Cowman, Andrew Bellini-Rutledge, Mike Zangari, Chip Waldock, Joey Carrey, Dave Jorgenson, Johnny Duhamel, and Owen Bennett
Key gains: Goaltender Travis Hallyburton, Shawn Fraser, Ryan Macdonald, Zach Kirkby, Jon Kerr, Tanner Swift, Ryan Lecky, and Dylon Duivendoorden
Who to watch: Look to the transition for the highlight reel material as two of the top four scorers are T guys, Corey Moore and Cole Greenaway. Forwards Marcus Simpson and Morgan Didsbury have teamed up for 51 points. Also worth making a note of are returning pure defenders Thomas Cowden and Scotty Conoghan.
In the net: Not only is newcomer Travis Hallyburton shouldering a .800 save percentage, but he’s also fifth on the team for points with 12 assists.
Bottom line: It would be easy to say that anything’s an improvement on last year and then giggle my way to the next team, but let’s heap a little credit where it’s due because these guys have had to be hangin tough with some pretty talented teams in the early-going, and their schedule doesn’t slack much in the second half with two against Newmarket, two against Clarington, and one versus Halton Hills on the docket. If they can turn their good powerplay into a great one and slow down the return transition to give the truly capable Hallyburton a little breathing room on the back end there’s good reason to feel optimistic about Huntsville’s future.

ORILLIA RAMA-HAMMOND KINGS

2008: Spent ’08 in the Jr. A loop, finishing 10th of 12 with a 6-15 record
Currently: 1-9-1
Wins over: Huntsville
Losses to: Clarington (3), Newmarket (2), Mimico, Markham, Halton Hills, Nepean
Tied: Halton Hills
Who they’ve lost from last year: It’s a pretty long list, but the major losses are three of ‘08’s top scorers Kaleb Wiles, Colin McDowell, and Mike Holder as well as assistant captain Mike Gillan and goaltenders Brandon Noble and Toronto Rock draft pick Derrick Gordon
Key gains: Top scorer Kenny Murphy and goaltender Ryan Jones
Who to watch: Make a note of Murphy’s name as well as the Holder brothers Steve and Mike and round two of the Mainer family, Blake
In the net: Jake Lovell returns from last season but thus far the Kings have been leaning on Jones, who has a GAA of 7.18 through 485 minutes
Bottom line: This is a team in a season of upheaval with an early schedule you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Give these players some time to gel, especially on offense, and we’ll see if they can’t make a mini-run towards the end and come back one year older and one year better in 2010.

SOUTH EAST

HALTON HILLS BULLDOGS

2008: 15-5, 4th seed in the playoffs, Ontario Jr. B finalists
Currently: 7-1-1
Wins over: Gloucester, Nepean, Mimico (2), Mississauga, Cornwall, Orillia,
Losses to: Clarington
Who they’ve lost from last year: Mike Burke, Kyle Andrews, Dan Patterson to Brampton Jr A, Mike Brown to over age.
Key gains: Shane Scott from Missy Jr B,, Dylan Webster from Brampton Midget, and Luke Laidlaw from Halton Hills Midget
Who to watch: On the offense look for Pat Saunders, last year’s East MVP and league scoring leader and Rochester Knighthawk in the winter, Nic Grasby who had 79 points last year, and rookie Dylan Webster who is actually leading scoring with 41 points. Kody Lyons will dominate the transition while Nik Matwijszyn patrols the D.
In the net: Michael Cregan may have been the rock last year, but 09 has seen young AP Ryan Kelly put up four wins with a save percentage of .899 and a GAA of 3.00, both numbers good enough for first in the league. Steven Mathers has the other three wins.
Bottom line: Getting to the Ontario finals in 2008 might seem like a huge accomplishment, but the Halton Hills Bulldogs aren’t satisfied and it’s showed in their play so far this season. With Kelly playing unreal in net and Webster making his case for Rookie of the Year, the Bulldogs have a good mix of superstars and steady talent and if they can lock down the penalty kill a little this is going to be one of the teams that no one wants to face in the playoffs.

MARKHAM IRONHEADS

2008: 4-14-2, no playoffs
Currently: 6-2-2
Wins over: Huntsville, Mississauga (2), Nepean, Kahnawake, Orillia
Losses to: Clarington, Mississauga
Tied: Mimico, Nepean
Who to watch: Stu McIlhone has been dominating the transition game while speedy Mike Hilker and Joe Koslovski are rated as the top D guys on the team. On offense look for Andy Wreggit to keep up his steady scoring ways, but watch for the emergence of Mike Hart and Mike Mackley now that both have returned from injury.
In the net: Braydon Wilson has four wins while rookie tender Eric Pigden has been a pleasant surprise, holding his own against the Green Gaels to start the season and garnering two wins and two ties since
Bottom line: They’ll be the first ones to tell you that their offense hasn’t been up to par, a situation that hasn’t been helped by injuries to Mackley and Hart. With the O line-up back intact and elevating themselves to the level the transition and defense have been playing at, the Ironheads will become increasingly dangerous with every game.

MIMICO MOUNTAINEERS

2008: 14-6, Eastern Conference finalist
Currently: 3-4-1
Wins over: Mississauga, Huntsville, Orillia
Losses to: Halton Hills (2), Clarington, Newmarket,
Tied: Markham
Who they’ve lost from last year: Ryan Bernardi, Michael MacRory and Steve Fryer
Key gains: Stevie Janes, Derek Foam, Jack Donnelly, Zach Sloan and Garrett Daly
Who to watch: Brendan Muise, an offensive force, Tyler Campbell – solid D with a great transition game. Derek Foam – solid Leader. Matt Barry – strong at both ends with a knack for going to the net. Tyler Patterson – great shot and great on loose balls. Reilly Smith – knows where the net is and not afraid to go there
In the net: David Cottle has played 300 minutes between the Mimico pipes, while AP Evan Sangwin has stepped in for 180
Bottom line: This is a team that hasn’t had a win since May 9th and with a dominant Halton Hills and a solidifying Markham out in front of them, if they’re going to turn things around they’ll want to be doing it soon. The Mountaineers are a few games behind everyone else in the conference so they do get a bit of breathing room there, but with two games against Mississauga and two tell-tale games vs. Markham coming up in the next ten days, this could very well be the turning point in their season and if anything’s going to dictate the direction they go in, it will likely be the depth of the O and how much the transition can get done.

MISSISSAUGA TOMAHAWKS

2008: 1-18-1
Currently: 1-10
Wins over: Markham
Losses to: Newmarket, Markham (2), Mimico, Halton Hills, Clarington, Huntsville (2), Cornwall, Kahnawake
Who to watch: Team Captain and top tier defender Brandon Pitts and bigmouth transition player Nathan Reid who spends as much time getting under opponents’ skin as he does scoring.
In the net: Dylan Cowman, former Huntsville Hawks tender, is probably feeling pretty tired after his 480 minutes of play. Fortunately the team has brought in former Clarington third-stringer Lukas Coote who is said to have almost single-handedly handed Missy their first win over Markham in OT.
Bottom line: Originally I was going to say that at least they’re consistent, but the addition of Coote has suddenly made the Tomahawks future a little unpredictable. Are we likely to see an improbable playoff run from Mississauga? Well, no. But a sparkplug goalie can do amazing things for team play and morale and the Tomahawks are going to be a team to watch in the next few weeks.

FAR EAST

GLOUCESTER GRIFFINS

2008: 6-14, 10th in the East, no playoffs
Currently: 6-4
Wins over: Kahnawake (3), Nepean (2), Cornwall,
Losses to: Halton Hills, Markham, Huntsville, Cornwall
Who they’ve lost from last year: Jason Archambault, Chris Brough, Dylan Miller, Ben Vorano, Joel Desnoyers, Charles Hartley, and goalkeep Kyle Ferguson.
Key gains: Pete Minault and his 13 points, Devon Rice, and Cory Robertson
Who to watch: Unsurprising to anyone familiar with the OLA Jr. B East, Dan Lapensee has already logged 28 points in eight games while Jeremy Kearns has stepped way up, taking his points per game number from 0.7 in 2008 to 2.0 in 2009. In just two games, Krystian Seguin has logged 10 points, eight of those on assists. Watch for Fabien Robilliard on the defensive end. The team is still waiting on the return of last year’s Gloucester ROTY Craig Moore.
In the net: J.F. Beauchamp and Alex Ince are the top two go-tos
Bottom line: With the exception of one loss to Cornwall, the Griffins are killing it within their own grouping, with every single one of their wins coming against a divisional rival. In the games that they’ve ventured beyond the Far East they’ve taken on, and fallen to, a pair of tough teams in Halton Hills and Markham while dropping a headshaker against a 3-8 Huntsville. Seven of their ten remaining match-ups are vs. Far East teams so the Griffins are likely to be sitting pretty come playoff time, but will they have what it takes to tear down an unfamiliar team in a quarter-final?

Please note: I originally identified Nick Pankiw as both a goaltender and as a player Gloucester lost from last year. This is a doubly amazing feat because he is neither. He is still an integral part of the Gloucester defense.

NEPEAN KNIGHTS

2008: 11-9, eliminated from playoffs by Mimico in the first round
Currently: 4-5-2
Wins over: Orillia, Huntsville, Kahnawake (2)
Losses to: Cornwall (2), Halton Hills, Kahnawake, Gloucester,
Tied: Markham, Kahnawake
Who they’ve lost from last year: Corey Sauve, Peter Murphy, Nevan Sullivan, Jordan Joncas, Devon Tough, Noam Goldstein, Tim Bergin, Craig Cowie, Chris Ford, Jordan Weedmark, Matt Tenute and goaltender Andrew Marquis
Key gains: Forwards Mark Vradenburg, Jordan Moran, Graham Murray and D men Charlie Moore, Andy Hancock, and Alex O’Neill
Who to watch: Thanks to all the letters on his jersey and his 37 points you can’t miss Brett Lewandowsky. Newcomer Mark Vradenburg is keeping pace with Kyle Drisdelle, each with 21 points.
In the net: Joe Tallis has four wins and four losses with a GAA of 7.45
Bottom line: First in the Far East is definitely within reach, but they’ll be needing some consistency on offense because two-goal games aren’t going to cut it against any team in the Jr. B circuit. With three games vs. Gloucester on the second half of their schedule, they’ll also need to solve the riddle of the first place Griffins. The teams they’ve beaten thus far hanging out near the bottoms of their divisions.

CORNWALL CELTICS

2008: 7-13, no playoffs
Currently: 4-5-1
Wins over: Kahnawake, Nepean, Gloucester, Mississauga
Losses to: Nepean, Kahnawake, Halton Hills, Newmarket, Gloucester
Tied: Kahnawake
Who to watch: The Celtics O right now is all about balance so you’ll probably be seeing a steady scoring rotation between Trevor Roundpoint, Jacob Ruest, Tyler Barnhart, Clint Martin, and Jamie Blanchard. Justin Oakes has put up six goals and six assists in just five games.
In the net: Trey Adams has two wins and one loss with a GAA of 6.51 but Brock Marsolais has been shouldering a lot of the load lately while poor Torry Bigtree has had to face first-in-the-Far-East Gloucester, and first-in-the-South-East Halton Hills
Bottom line: They’ve been all over the map against teams in their own division, splitting the season series so far with Kahnawake, Nepean and Gloucester. Can that unpredictability work in their favour? They’ve got a good pair of set-up men in Ruest and Blanchard, and we could see Cornwall’s fortunes improve if a steady go-to guy emerges on offense.

KAHNAWAKE HUNTERS

2008: N/A, the Hunters are new to the Jr. B party
Currently: 3-7-2
Wins over: Cornwall, Nepean, Mississauga
Losses to: Gloucester (3), Newmarket, Markham, Nepean (2)
Tied: Cornwall, Nepean
Who to watch: Do not blink when Karahkwanoron Two Axe is on the floor. Through 13 games he’s got 46 points (2nd in league scoring) as well as 34 minutes in the sin-bin. Iohahiio Goodleaf and Hunter Hemlock aren’t too far behind point-wise, with 39 and 32, respectively. Defenders Nicky Albany and Travis Stacey have 105 PIM combined.
In the net: Tye Stacey is holding his own through nearly 500 minutes with a GAA of 8.41
Bottom line: Their losing record is the product of growing pains, plain and simple, but this team can go on scoring binges with the best of them, hitting double-digits in all three of their wins. If they can tone down the rough stuff and tighten up a little on D, this could be the start of something big.

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