The jockeying for top spot in the Ontario Hockey League goes, sort of, through the northern outposts.

The Guelph Storm take a one-percentage-point lead in this latest Dynamic Dozen and a five-point lead for top spot in their actual league with them during their annual swing up north. It's not necessarily a make-or-break, but it stands out that the London Knights helped get back into the race after sweeping all three games from a road trip at the end of January, while the Erie Otters had a 1-for-3 roadie last week that could determine the race.

Guelph, the Portland Winterhawks and Kelowna Rockets are separated by two percentage points for the top three spots. No one moved in and no one moved out, but there's a good chance that could change over the next five days.

1. Guelph Storm, OHL (.582 RPI, +2.2 SRS, —) — The big takeaway with Guelph is that it hasn't sustained consecutive regulation losses since the first weekend of October, so no need to make a mountain out of getting doubled up on home ice by Saginaw and Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Jake Paterson. The Storm, due to a twice-rescheduled game in Owen Sound, had the rare position of having to play on Sunday and Monday. It conjured up statement first period by scoring three quick goals before holding off the Attack.

Will the Storm hang on? Provided it avoids a total faceplant during its Sudbury-North Bay-Sault Ste. Marie trip, edge over Erie and London should hold up. Guelph's last six games are vs. teams all seventh or lower in its conference.

Now, if anyone can figure out what Red Wings pick Tyler Bertuzzi has "that nobody has labelled a concussion," that would be super.

2. Portland Winterhawks, WHL (.581 RPI, +1.9 SRS, —) — Why are Don Hay and Steve Konowalchuk pivotal figures in the race for first overall in the Dub? Kelowna, holding a three-point lead, plays the Hay-helmed Vancouver Giants four times over its final 10 games. Portland hooks up with Konowalchuk's Seattle Thunderbirds thrice over its final nine. One spoiler win could swing the race.

Portland, of course, has not lost since the trade deadline, with goalie Corbin Boes flying solo in goal over the past fortnight. It had a narrow escape Sunday with a shootout win at Everett, but Portland appears to have clear sailing heading into a weekend where it faces Spokane and, of course, Seattle.

3. Kelowna Rockets, WHL (.580 RPI, +1.8 SRS, —) — Getting into a game that ended up with a combined 14 goals less than a month prior to the playoffs? That is not great. The sober second thought is Kelowna and ninth-place Prince George had played so often in a short span that it induced a relaxed atmosphere. Coming out of that game, it's probably for the best for the Rockets that they go right into a game against desperate and short-staffed Tri-City. Another bonus is that Detroit Red Wings pick Marek Tvrdon is finding a synergy on a line with youngsters Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley. They could be a source of complementary scoring come springtime.

4. London Knights, OHL (.572 RPI, +1.7 SRS, —) — For anyone wondering — I'm sure this kept you up at night — London has a near-identical record with and without Nikita Zadorov. The Knights are 21-6-0-1 when the mobile, hostile and agile Buffalo Sabres first-rounder has dressed and are 21-6-1-3 without him manning the blueline like a barracuda. Of course, Zadorov was around for a five-game case of the January blahs that hit right after the trade deadline and five players re-intergrating into the OHL grind after playing in the world junior. Since then, London has been "efficient and dogmatic" while stringing together victories.

5. Erie Otters, OHL (.566 RPI, +1.9 SRS, —) — The Otters are beset by a slump, injuries and the healthy-scratching of 56-goal scorer Dane Fox on Monday. At least they are a convenient beckon for other teams that have some leaks to plug before the playoffs. Sudbury goalie Franky Palazzese complimented two of the Otters' stars for doing the dirty work ahead of the playoffs: "You watch (Connor) McDavid and (Connor) Brown, and they were blocking shots and hustling to get back and play defence, and we have to do what they are doing, and that's why they are where they are." Also bear in mind that three years ago, Kris Knoblauch got Kootenay to play lockdown defence during its run to the Western League championship.