This week, I’ll break down all 20 OHL clubs division by division and unveil my predictions for the 2012-13 season. Today, let’s look at the Western Conference’s West Division (listed in alphabetical order):

Plymouth Whalers
Coach/GM: Michael Vellucci
2011-12 finish: 47-18-2-1, 1st division, 2nd conference
Playoff finish: Lost to Kitchener 4-3 in conference semifinals
Key players: LW Stefan Noesen (38 goals, 44 assists, 82 points; signed with Ottawa), C Mitchell Heard (29-28-57; signed with Colorado), RW Alex Aleardi (36-29-65), LW J.T. Miller (25-37-62; signed with N.Y. Rangers; G Matt Mahalak (19-8-0-0 record, 2.66 goals-against average, .923 save percentage, 3 shutouts; Carolina prospect)
Key losses: G Scott Wedgewood (28-10-2-1, 3.02, .911, 3 SO; signed with New Jersey), D Beau Schmitz (14-40-54, +37; signed with Carolina), C Andy Bathgate (19-44-63)
Outlook: The Whalers had a chance to reach the Western finals last season, but they lost Game 7 at home to Kitchener. They lost some key players off that team, but the Whalers still have are strong enough to make a deeper run this season.

Saginaw Spirit
Coach/GM: Greg Gilbert/Jim Paliafito
2011-12 finish: 40-22-4-2, 3rd division, 5th conference
Playoff finish: Lost to London 4-2 in conference semifinals
Key players: C Vincent Trocheck (29-56-85; signed with Florida), LW Brandon Saad (34-42-76; signed with Chicago), LW Garret Ross (25-29-54), C Eric Locke (20-20-40), D Dalton Young (5-15-20)
Key losses: LW Josh Shalla (40-36-76; signed with Nashville), RW Michael Fine (22-45-67), C John McFarland (20-21-41; signed with Florida), D Brad Walch (5-18-23, +21)
Outlook: Trocheck and Saad headline an offense that ranked fifth in the league a season ago with 259 goals. Now they have to solidify a defense that allowed 259 goals, the fourth most in the league. Clint Windsor and Jake Paterson are the keys in net.

Sarnia Sting
Coach/GM: Jacques Beaulieu
2011-12 finish: 34-27-2-5, 2nd division, 4th conference
Playoff finish: Lost 4-2 to Saginaw in conference quarterfinals
Key players: C Alex Galchenyuk (0-0-0 in 2 games; signed with Montreal), G J.P. Anderson (27-23-2-4, 3.03, .908, 3 SO), LW Reid Boucher (28-22-50), D Connor Murphy (8-18-26; signed with Phoenix), D Alex Basso (9-27-36, +5)
Key losses: RW Nail Yakupov (31-38-69 in 42 games; signed with Edmonton), C Brett Thompson (32-38-70; former Otter), C Ryan Spooner (29-37-66; signed with Boston), LW Tyler J. Brown (21-27-48), D Adrian Robertson (10-28-38, +13)
Outlook: Yakupov, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, isn’t expected to rejoin the Sting. But Galchenyuk, the No. 3 pick in the draft, returns after missing nearly all of last season with a knee injury. But can the Sting overcome other key losses?

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Coach/GM: Mike Stapleton/Kyle Dubas
2011-12 finish: 29-33-2-4, 5th division, 9th conference
Playoff finish: Did not qualify
Key players: C Nick Cousins (35-53-88; signed with Philadelphia), G Matt Murray (13-19-0-1, 4.08, .876; Pittsburgh prospect), D Ryan Sproul (23-31-54, +16), RW Andrew Fritsch (13-19-32 in 35 games; Phoenix prospect), LW Michael Schumacher (26-24-50)
Key losses: C Brett Findlay (20-36-56; traded to Peterborough), C Carson Dubchak (16-16-32)
Outlook: The Greyhounds are trying to avoid a third straight season out of the playoff picture. But does Stapleton, the Otters’ former associate and assistant coach, have enough talented depth to make that happen in a challenging conference?

Windsor Spitfires
Coach/GM: Bob Boughner/Warren Rychel
2011-12 finish: 29-32-5-2, 4th division, 8th conference
Playoff finish: Lost to London 4-0 in conference quarterfinals
Key players: LW Kerby Rychel (41-33-74); C Brady Vail (22-30-52), LW Chris Marchese (18-25-43; former Otter), D Nick Ebert (6-33-39), RW Joshua Ho-Sang (No. 5 pick in OHL Priority Selection), LW Ben Johnson (18-20-38)
Key losses: C Alexander Khokhlachev (25-44-69; playing in Russia), C Zack MacQueen (18-20-38; son of former Otters coach Dave MacQueen)
Outlook: The unexpected departure of Khokhlachev will hurt thre Spitfires, unless forwards like Rychel, Vail, former Otter Marchese and first-round pick Ho-Sang pick up the slack. But will they have enough on defense and in net to win consistently?

- Victor Fernandes

The Erie Otters have finished the first half of the season with a winning record.

Greg McKegg made sure of that.

The Otters captain redirected rookie Adam Pelech’s pass past Sudbury goaltender Alain Valiquette 1 minute, 2 seconds into overtime to seal Erie’s 3-2 win in front of 3,987 at Tullio Arena on Saturday night.

With the victory, the Otters head into the Christmas break with a 17-16-1-1 record.

“We know we can win now,” McKegg said. “We’ve beaten the best teams.”

The Otters controlled play in the opening period. They enjoyed continued stretches in the offensive zone.

But Valiquette stymied the Otters every time. Valiquette stopped all 12 shots he faced in the period.

Meanwhile, Otters goaltender Ramis Sadikov stopped all seven shots in the period.

Sadikov and Valiquette remained in the spotlight during the opening half of the second period.

But a faceoff win late in the period allowed the Wolves (11-20-2-0) to score the game’s first goal. Michael Sgarbossa deflected Ryan Hanes’ shot from the blue line past Sadikov with 7:25 left in the period. Sgarbossa set up the scoring play by winning the faceoff and then crashing the net. He has four goals and five points in three games since being acquired from Saginaw last week in the John McFarland trade.

Otters defenseman David Shields matched Sgarbossa’s goal less than four minutes later. His point shot slipped through Valiquette for Shields’ third goal of the season. McKegg and rookie Macaulay McDonnell assisted on the goal with 4:02 left in the period.

The teams headed into the third still tied at 1 – just like the Otters and Brampton did Friday night.

Unlike Erie’s 2-1 loss to the Battalion, the Otters took a one-goal lead on Derek Holden’s power-play goal 4:07 into the period. Anthony Luciani and Phil Varone assisted on Holden’s third goal of the season.

Yet Sgarbossa’s second goal of the night and 12^th goal of the season – a rebound of his own shot in front of Sadikov – tied the score at 2 with 7:18 left. But McKegg’s heroics ended the first half on a high note.

“It’s definitely huge,” Shields said. “We’re coming back hard (in the second half).”

* News and notes: The Otters finish the half tied for fifth in the Western Conference. … Sadikov joins Team Russia on Sunday in Jamestown, N.Y., for an evaluation camp leading into the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, which begins Dec. 26 in Buffalo. If Sadikov makes the team, the Otters would be without him for the start of the second half. The Otters return to action Dec. 28 in Plymouth. … Defenseman Brady Austin, who missed Friday’s game, replaced winger Jordan Coccimiglio in the lineup. … Coach Robbie Ftorek’s Hoses team defeated assistant coach Peter Sidorkiewicz’s Guns 9-3 in the inaugural Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game at Tullio on Saturday. Team captains John Sorge (Hoses) and Rick Skonieczka (Guns) from the game, which benefited the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County, dropped a ceremonial first puck before the Otters’ game.

- Victor Fernandes

SUMMARY

Otters 3, Wolves 2 (OT)

Sudbury  0  1  1  0  —  2

Erie  0  1  1  1  —  3

1^st Period — None. Penalties — Erie, too many men (served by McDonnell), 3:46; Silk (S) boarding, 3:46; Dodero (S) hooking, 5:38; Marchese (E) unsportsmanlike conduct, 10:59; Silk (S) unsportsmanlike conduct, 10:59; Appio (E) 5-min. fighting, 11:01; Hanes (S) 5-min. fighting, 11:01; Cook (E) interference, 11:25; Sefton (S) slashing, 11:25; McKegg (E) interference, 15:32; Sefton (S) high sticking, 19:31.

2^nd Period — 1. Sudbury, Michael Sgarbossa 11 (Hanes, Jambrosich), 12:35. 2. Erie, David Shields 3 (McKegg, McDonnell), 15:58. Penalties — Pelech (E) tripping, 1:58.

3^rd Period — 3. Erie, Derek Holden 3 (Luciani, Varone), 4:07 (pp). 4. Sudbury, Sgarbossa 12 (Lomas), 12:42. Penalties — Sgarbossa (S) hooking, 3:55; Sgarbossa (S) high sticking, 7:34; Appio (E) 5-min. fighting, 15:07; Sefton (S) 5-min. fighting, 15:07.

Overtime — 5. Erie, Greg McKegg 25 (Pelech), 1:02. Penalties — None.

Shots on goal — Sudbury, 7-12-4-0—23; Erie, 12-13-1—34.

Goaltenders — Sudbury, Alain Valiquette 11-15-2-0 (34 shots, 31 saves); Erie, Ramis Sadikov 17-12-1-1 (23 shots, 21 saves).

Power plays — Sudbury (0-2), Erie (1-4).

Referees — Bob Langdon, Dave Gauthier. Linesmen — Daryl Wolfe, Jesse Wilmot.

Attendance — 3,987.

Three stars

* Greg McKegg, Otters (GW goal, assist) ** David Shields, Otters (goal) *** Michael Sgarbossa, Wolves (2 goals)

What: Sudbury Wolves (11-20-1-0) at Erie Otters (16-16-1-1)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (24 goals, 27 assists, 51 points), RW Shawn Szydlowski (17-15-32), RW Anthony Luciani (13-17-30), G Ramis Sadikov (16-11-1-1 record, 2.92 goals-against average, .912 save percentage, 2 shutouts), C Phil Varone (12-13-25)

Sudbury – LW Mike Lomas (17-15-32), LW Michael MacDonald (12-15-17), D Josh McFadden (6-20-26), C Michael Sgarbossa (10-14-24), D Frank Corrado (2-14-16)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have a 3-3 record in December after posting a 9-3 mark in November. … They look to split the two-game season series after losing to the Wolves 3-1 in Sudbury Oct. 23. … The Otters have nearly identical home (8-8-0-1) and road (8-8-1-0) records. They have dropped their last two home games. … They are third in the OHL on the power play (22.5 percent), two spots ahead of the Wolves (21.4). … The Otters have dropped to 16^th on the penalty kill (78.5). … Before the game, coach Robbie Ftorek and assistant Peter Sidorkiewicz will serve as coaches in the inaugural Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game. The 4 p.m. game features local police officers facing local firefighters/EMS and paramedics in a game that benefits the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County.

Sudbury – The Wolves will play without leading scorer Marcus Foligno (15-18-33), who remains with Team Canada to prepare for the IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Dec. 26 in Buffalo. … The Wolves traded former No. 1 pick John McFarland and veteran D Ben Chiarot to Saginaw last week for Sgarbossa, LW Alex Racino and D Frank Schumacher. … Sgarbossa has three goals and four points in two games with the Wolves. … The Wolves rank in the league’s bottom five in goals scored (91) and goals against (133). … They enter tonight’s game off a 9-3 loss to Mississauga St. Michael’s.

Up next: at Plymouth (Dec. 28, 2 p.m.), at Saginaw (Dec. 29, 7:11 p.m.)

– Victor Fernandes

The Saginaw Spirit have acquired F John McFarland, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, from the Sudbury Wolves.

Check out the complete deal and more details by clicking the link.

What: Erie Otters (3-8-1-0) at Sudbury Wolves (3-6-1-0)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Sudbury Community Arena – Sudbury, Ontario

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points), C Mike Cazzola (6-12-18), RW Shawn Szydlowski (5-7-12), LW David Broll (2-5-7), D Tyler Hostetter (3-6-9)

Sudbury – LW Mike Lomas (7-5-12), C Kristoff Kontos (4-6-10), LW Marcus Foligno (4-5-9), D Josh McFadden (3-5-8)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have lost six straight games, their longest losing streak since setting the franchise record of 16 consecutive defeats in the 2007-08 season. … They have lost four straight on the road and are 2-6-0-0 overall. … D Brett Cook (concussion) had no points, two penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating in his return to the lineup on Friday in Sault Ste. Marie. … The Otters remain without defenseman David Shields (back) and Mitch Gaulton (hand) and forwards Brett Appio (leg), Connor Crisp (concussion) and Anthony Luciani (wrist). … The Otters have allowed five or more goals six times in 12 games on their way to 53 goals against – the OHL’s second-worst total. … McKegg is tied for second with Owen Sound LW Garrett Wilson in the league scoring race, one point behind Niagara C Ryan Strome. … Cazzola has moved into the top 10 in scoring. … The Otters are third overall on the power play (25.5 percent).

Sudbury – The Wolves have won two straight (both against Barrie) since starting the season with a 1-6-1-0 record. … They have scored a league-low 30 goals. … C John McFarland (3-2-5 in 6 games) has missed the past four games reportedly with an undisclosed injury. … The Wolves and Otters rank in the bottom five on the penalty kill.

Up next: vs. Plymouth (Wednesday, 7 p.m.), vs. Windsor (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Toronto – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League, London Knights and Sudbury Wolves announced on Thursday the rosters for Team OHL that will compete against Team Russia in the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series.

Following two games hosted in the QMJHL, the OHL leg of the six-game series begins in London on Nov. 11 at the John Labatt Centre before moving north to the Sudbury Community Arena on Nov. 15.  Erie Otters captain Greg McKegg will play in the Nov. 15 game.

The series then shifts west for two games hosted in the WHL.

“The SUBWAY® Super Series provides these players with a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that they can compete amongst the best players eligible for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Dave Cameron of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, who will serve as head voach of both Team OHL and Team Canada.  “The OHL has had a lot of success against the Russians in this event and I am confident that we have assembled another strong group of players in all positions that will make us competitive in these games, and with players who will make a strong push to represent the OHL on Team Canada in Buffalo this December.”

A total of 36 players in total were selected for Team OHL rosters, including 2010 Team Canada members Calvin de Haan of the Oshawa Generals and Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires who won silver last year at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The rosters are also highlighted by three first round picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including Erik Gudbranson of the Kingston Frontenacs, Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack and Mark Visentin of the Niagara IceDogs.

In addition to de Haan and Ellis, 2009 first-round picks Peter Holland of the Guelph Storm and Zack Kassian of the Spitfires will compete in the series.  London’s Scott Harrington is one of seven players competing that are eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  He will represent the host Knights in London alongside forward Michael MacDonald, while Wolves forwards Marcus Foligno and John McFarland will represent the host team in Sudbury.

The Team OHL rosters were assembled by a selection committee that includes Brampton Battalion general manager and coach Stan Butler and London general manager Mark Hunter.  They worked in conjunction with Hockey Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast.

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