This Week’s SJHL Power Rating
The SJHL Power Rankings are decided every week by a group of SJHL broadcasters.
1. Flin Flon Bombers 40-4-2-0 (Last Week 1st)
For the 15th straight week, the Flin Flon Bombers were named the top team in the CJHL and they continue to show their dominance in the SJHL. The Bombers did suffer their 2nd loss in regulation at the Whitney Forum though on Saturday to the Battlefords North Stars, losing 8-6. However, they did pick up victories over the Mustangs and Stars before the loss. Flin Flon will be on the road this week for three games in three nights beginning Thursday in Humboldt and then continuing into Kindersley on Friday and Saturday.
2. Battlefords North Stars 33-10-3-1 (Last Week 2nd)
Not many teams can boast they earned a split at the Whitney Forum and the Battlefords North Stars did just that this weekend. It was another tight pair of games between the two teams who met in last year’s final and the season series has been a very entertaining one. The Stars will be back on the bus this weekend for games in Yorkton, Melville, and Notre Dame (Wilcox).
3. Melfort Mustangs 31-14-3-0 (Last Week 4th)
After being blanked at home by the Flin Flon Bombers early in the week, the Melfort Mustangs bounced back with a perfect weekend in southern Saskatchewan as they earned wins in both Estevan and Weyburn. Thanks to some help in the out-of-town scoreboard, the Mustangs are back in 3rd place in the SJHL standings. It will be a quiet week for Melfort as their lone game of the week comes on Friday when they host the Melville Millionaires.
4. Humboldt Broncos 30-14-3-1 (Last Week 3rd)
The Humboldt Broncos dropped a pair this weekend to the Kindersley Klippers which knocked them down to 4th in the SJHL standings and has the Broncos 6 points back of the Battlefords North Stars for the top spot in the Nutrien division with just 8 games to go in the regular season. It won’t get any easier for the Broncos to start this week as they welcome the Flin Flon Bombers to the EPA on Thursday and then tangle with La Ronge on Saturday.
5. Kindersley Klippers 21-21-4-2 (Last Week 6th)
After a tough setback in Nipawin on Friday, the Kindersley Klippers bounced back massively by earning not one, but two wins in Humboldt against the Broncos. Cody Jaman played a big part in those wins, making 45+ saves in both games against Humboldt. The two wins have the Klippers tied for 6th in the SJHL standings and an eight-point cushion on a playoff spot. The Klippers will look to build off their victories over the Humboldt Broncos this weekend as they host the Flin Flon Bombers for a pair at the West Central Events Centre.
6. Estevan Bruins 22-21-2-2 (Last Week 5th)
The Estevan Bruins earned 5 out of a possible 8 points this past week in the standings and like the Kindersley Klippers are eight points up on a playoff spot entering the new week. Estevan can inch closer to solidifying their playoff spot this weekend when they host the Nipawin Hawks on Friday and then travel to Yorkton for their final meeting with the Terriers. Saturday’s game against Yorkton will be the 5th time the Bruins and Terriers have met this month.
7. Melville Millionaires 24-21-0-1 (Last Week 7th)
One of the busiest teams this past week was the Melville Millionaires and you have to think the club is happy with picking up victories in three out of four of their games. However, it was a tough showing Monday afternoon in Weyburn against their division rivals. Despite that, the Mills are 5th in the SJHL standings entering the week but will face a strong test this weekend as they visit the Melfort Mustangs on Friday and then host the Battlefords North Stars on Saturday.
8. Weyburn Red Wings 19-21-0-6 (Last Week 8th)
The Weyburn Red Wings currently hold the 8th and final playoff spot in the SJHL standings and they added some insurance on that this week by securing five out of six points. Going into the new week, Weyburn is four points up on the Nipawin Hawks for the 8th and final playoff spot. That will also be Weyburn’s next opponent as they host Nipawin on Saturday.
9. Nipawin Hawks 18-24-0-4 (Last Week 10th)
After being shutout by the Melville Millionaires early in the week, the Nipawin Hawks got a much-needed victory over the Kindersley Klippers on Friday. The unfortunate thing for the Hawks was they didn’t get much help on the out-of-town scoreboard over the weekend and as a result, sit four points back of the 8th and final playoff spot. This coming week will be crucial for the Hawks if they hope to get into the post-season as they play three games in three nights beginning Thursday in Wilcox against the Notre Dame Hounds, Friday in Estevan, and Saturday against Weyburn.
10. Yorkton Terriers 17-25-2-2 (Last Week 9th)
Once again the Yorkton Terriers spilt their games this past week and despite the club playing much better, they have fallen behind in the race for a playoff spot. With 10 games to go in the regular season, the Terriers are six points back of the Weyburn Red Wings for the 8th and final playoff spot. This week will be massive for the Terriers if they hope to make the post-season as they host the Notre Dame Hounds on Tuesday, Battlefords on Friday, and then Estevan on Saturday.
11. La Ronge Ice Wolves 15-29-3-2 (Last Week 11th)
It was a tough week on the road for the La Ronge Ice Wolves as they dropped all four of their games on their southern swing and only earned one point. While the Ice Wolves aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, it would be an extremely tall task for them to get back into the mix for their remaining schedule, and needing a lot of help in the out-of-town scoreboard. La Ronge will be in Humboldt on Saturday.
12. Notre Dame Hounds 12-33-2-0 (Last Week 12th)
The only team officially eliminated from playoff content is the Notre Dame Hounds following their loss to the Estevan Bruins Monday and the Weyburn Red Wings win. Notre Dame will be looking to play spoiler this week as they travel to Yorkton on Tuesday, host Nipawin on Thursday, and Battlefords North Stars on Sunday afternoon.
Source: SJHL