“Matthew Maggio’s Stellar Play Earns Him OHL Player of the Week Award – A Shining Light for the NY Islanders Prospect”
As the New York Islanders Prospect pool dwindles further down the league rankings, Matthew Maggio is emerging as one of the franchise’s most promising youngsters. Maggio was named OHL Player of the Week for the second time this season, putting on a show for the OHL in an unbeaten week Windsor Spitfires.
The Spitfires started their week Thursday by hosting the So greyhounds in the first of three home games. Maggio opened the game and scored his first goal of the night at just 4:50. He later closed the door on the Greyhounds, burying an empty net for a 7-4 Windsor win.
On Saturday, the Spitfires faced a visit from the Hamilton Bulldogs. The two had a heated duel in the OHL playoffs last season when Maggio’s Spitfires were eliminated from Memorial Cup competition. Though unlikely to heal last season’s wound, Maggio found the top scorer three times, contributing two goals and an assist. With just under four minutes remaining in the second half, Maggio scored the decisive goal before adding another empty neter as Windsor beat Hamilton 6-3.
Called @cogeco #OHL Player of the week for the second time this season @NYIslanders Prospect Matthew Maggio leads the league in goals (40) and points (79) for the Western Conference @SpitsHockey 🎥 pic.twitter.com/3jkhYY0Ogl
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 6, 2023
The following night, Maggio put on a show against them Owen Sound attack, tying a career-high five points. Maggio sent the Spits 1-0 up with his 40th goal of the season and added four assists, including the 100th of his career, en route to an 8-1 win.
Passed through during his draft-qualifying 2021 year, Maggio failed to make much of an impact with his 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in the OHL’s first season since the pandemic began. As Maggio became more comfortable playing major junior hockey, he exploded for 85 points (38 goals, 47 assists) in his draft year, plus one.
Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders’ front office risked the elder when they selected him in the fifth round (142 overall) in 2022. So far it seems the gamble is paying off.
Maggio currently leads the OHL in goals (40) and points (79), while the Spitfires lead the OHL’s Western Conference. Since Windsor earned their fourth overall win in 2022, Shane WrightMaggio has taken his game to another level as the two compete for the Memorial Cup in their senior year before becoming full-time pros.
Source: eyesonisles.com
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