NOJHL West is slightly best
Through three weeks of the 2016-2017 season, parity is evident within the 12-team Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, more so in the West Division.
Teams in the West Division have a combined record thus far of 22-16-2.
Teams in the East Division have a combined record thus far of 18-20-4.
What has given the West the edge thus far is that the bottom two teams in the NOJHL are both from the East — the Iroquois Falls Eskis have just 2 points from a record of 1-7-0 while the French River Rapids are winless with 0 points from a record of 0-8-0.
Following is how the standings look heading into play this week.
WEST DIVISION
1. Soo Thunderbirds (6-1-0, 12 points) 2. Rayside-Balfour Canadians (4-2-1, 9 points) 3. Blind River Beavers (4-2-0, 8 points), 4. Elliot Lake Wildcats (4-4-0, 8 points) 5. Soo Eagles (2-4-1, 5 points) 6. Espanola Express (2-3-0, 4 points.)
EAST DIVISION
1. Cochrane Crunch (5-0-2, 12 points) T2. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (4-2-1, 9 points) T2. Powassan Voodoos (4-2-1, 9 points) 4. Timmins Rock (4-1-0, 8 points) 5. Iroquois Falls Eskis (1-7-0, 2 points) 8. French River Rapids (0-8-0, 0 points.)
PHOTO: Soo Thunderbirds and Rayside-Balfour Canadians are 1-2 in the NOJHL West Division standings.