Game not on Pointstreak, the ice has not been put into our main rink yet so we were on Pad #2 where there is no internet connection.

St. Mike's 5, Whitby 4

Just a few observations.

1) Whitby has gotten a lot bigger over the summer. A lot of the returning players have grown over the summer. Once they can learn to "play big", they are going to be a very strong force in the CCHL.

2) Whitby jumped out strong, leading 3-1 after the first, but seemed to be deflated by hitting the post twice within a couple of minutes early in the second. This let St. Mike's back in the game.

3) A tough break led to the game winner, as the Whitby goalie couldn't corral a rebound that ended up straight on the St. Mike's player's tape.

4) It was quite a chippy, hard-fought game, with a lot of very hard hits. It almost seemed like regular season intensity out on the ice. Good to see guys actually battling during pre-season.

Whitby going to be a strong force in the CCHL, now there's a joke if I ever heard one.

They will be battling for the last few spots in the 21 team circus but will probably finish ahead of Ajax, that's for sure.

That remains to be seen. I would predict Whitby and Ajax both to make the top five in the division, and make solid playoff runs, both getting to the second round. I'm not going to bet the mortgage, because the CCHL is wide open and especially in the East there are a lot of good teams, but I would suggest that both Whitby and Ajax will surprise A LOT of people.

Wow, quite a "ballsy" prediction, I'm going to put that in the time vault to be opened at the end of next February.

One thing you don't lack Sharpster is "optimism"

or does anyone else prefer sharpie's "optimism" to smc57's "pessimism" ??

$$PM87$$

i don't think whitby or ajax will finish higher than 6th in the eastern division.

Then it is quite possible that you will be one of the ones who in my opinion could be surprised by both of these teams.

good call OFFSIDE

thats what i also feel

Ajax and Whitby 6 th at best

As far as the Dukes

many many many many new faces here, it will be a challenge to defend this year.

my pick is , 4 th or better.

but then again i said that last season.

tic toc tic toc

PM, Sharpie is not too "realistic".

If you take a realistic view to his prediction, even you have to agree with me. Check past records of Whitby and Ajax, what makes Sharpie think that will change this season!!

I know you said that the CCHL will be helping to make the lower teams better, right. Pray tell me how a league does that outside of balancing teams "a la house league".

"You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"

Everyone is offside. Whitby will be right up there. Great management and coach. Lost very little from last year. Ajax is a joke. They have three forwards, two defencemen and nothing else. Opposite ends of the standings.