Photo Credits: Charles Warburton
The Mississauga Steelheads picked the right time to play their best hockey of the season. The team is 8-0-2 in their last 10 games and hasn’t lost a regulation game in their last 11. That loss came on February 24th in a 4-1 loss to the Barrie Colts.
With one of their best players, Porter Martone, out with an injury, everyone on the team has stepped up in an important way.
Mississauga’s goaltending, offence, and defence are why they are second in the Eastern Conference and first in the Central Division, scoring 82 points.
The Steelheads’ goaltending of Ryerson Leenders and Jack Ivankovic has been fantastic in March. Both goalies have allowed three or fewer goals. Leenders is second in the OHL in save percentage with .907 and third in shutouts with three.
Jack Ivankovic deserves credit as well in his first season in the OHL. The rookie netminder has gained the trust of his coach to play against the league’s best teams. In 24 games this season, Ivankovic is 14-4-4, with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
On defence, captain Chas Sharpe has been a massive part of the Steelheads’ season. Specifically, on this recent run, he picked up four points in the Steelheads’ 7-2 win over the Brantford Bulldogs on the weekend. The captain will look to have a significant impact in the playoffs. Sharpe leads all defencemen on the team with 52 points. He has 19 goals and 33 assists. The 20-year-old defenceman plays well at both ends of the ice.
With Porter Martone out of the lineup, forwards William Eggleton and Mason Zebeski have picked up their play up front on offence. Every time these guys are on the ice, they make plays and become critical for the club, especially in the goal-scoring position. With the depth these players provide to the team, expect head coach James Richmond to rely on them when he needs them the most.
With the playoffs beginning next week, if the team wants to go far, Mississauga will have to continue playing to their strengths, which is sticking together.
