MSL: Kodiaks Prepare for Life Without Dhane Smith

Six Nations @ Peterborough, 8:00 pm

Season series – 1-1

While Six Nations has played two games since last facing the Lakers, Peterborough will be seeing the Chiefs for the second game in a row. Last week the Lakers defeated the Chiefs 15-9 in an energetic matchup that saw Cody Jamieson held pointless and ejected for fighting. Expect Jamieson to come out firing to make up for last week.

John Grant Jr. is expected to return to the Lakers lineup this week, which will add a boost to an already potent offense. In only two games, Grant has 12 points.

These two teams have a long history so you can always expect some rough stuff to develop. Look for Grant’s return to have the largest impact on the outcome of the game.

KW @ Brampton, 8:00 pm

Season series 1-0 KW

The Kodiaks and Excelsiors meet for the second time this season on Thursday. KW is a .500 team with 3 wins and 3 losses. They should beat the downtrodden Excelsiors who have yet to win a game, but with Brampton at home and hungry, anything could happen.

Also adding to the drama surrounding this game is KW’s loss of leading scorer Dhane Smith, who the Kodiaks transferred yesterday to the WLA’s Victoria Shamrocks. Smith was the Kodiaks most promising prospect in years, playing regularly this season after spending the last two as a junior call-up. He amassed 67 points in 24 MSL games, and was tied with Ryan Benesch with 26 for the lead this season. Benesch will be counted on to increase his production even more without Smith. For the Excelsiors, look for goaltender Tye Belanger to have a big game in front of the home crowd.