After some successful time off for the SJHL/MJHL Showcase which saw the SJ win five out of six games against their Manitoba counterparts, league play in the SJHL resumed Friday night with 10 of the league’s 12 teams taking to the ice.
As the calendar turns into February, games and points become even more valuable with only a month and a half left in the regular season.
Highlights and recaps from Friday night can be found below.
Yorkton 4 Estevan 2
The Yorkton Terriers earned an important two points on the road Friday night as they doubled up the Estevan Bruins 4-2. Ethan Farrow was superb in the victory for the Terriers, stopping 41 of 43 shots faced in the win. Offensively Aiden Knutson led the way with a goal and an assist for Yorkton and Anthony McIntosh built off his strong performance from the SJ/MJ Showcase by finding the back of the net in the win. These two teams will collide again on Saturday night in Yorkton.
Humboldt 5 Melville 2
After losing their last two games before half of their team went to the SJ/MJ Showcase, the Humboldt Broncos got back in the win column on the road Friday night in Melville with a 5-2 win over the Mills. Matthew Van Blaricom and Boris Kofman each had a goal and an assist in the win as the Broncos move to within 1 point of the Melfort Mustangs for 3rd in the SJHL standings. Melville will look to bounce back when they visit Humboldt on Saturday.
La Ronge 4 Battlefords 5 SO
The La Ronge Ice Wolves led for most of their game against the Battlefords North Stars Friday night but Brad Blake would tie the game with 3:01 remaining to force overtime. The goal was Blake’s 2nd point of the night. In the end, it would be the Stars getting the two points as they earned the 5-4 shootout win. Mason Bueckert had a goal and an assist in the loss for the Wolves and Topher Chirico made 43 saves. The two teams meet again Saturday night at the ACC in North Battleford.
Nipawin 0 Flin Flon 8
Hockey night in the North was a huge success for the Flin Flon Bombers as they scored early and often as they walked away with a dominant 8-0 win over the Nipawin Hawks. Bombers forward Matt Egan returned to the lineup and made a huge impact for his club as he found the back of the net twice and added a pair of assists. Kenneth Marquart made 29 saves for the shutout as the Bombers earned their 35th win of the season.
Weyburn 5 Kindersley 4 OT
It was a back-and-forth affair between the Weyburn Red Wings and Kindersley Klippers at the West Central Events Centre Friday night. Tylin Hilbig tied the game with 13 seconds remaining for the Klippers to force overtime but in the extra frame, it would be Jaxson Ruthven playing hero for the Wings as they earned the win and the extra point. The goal was Ruthven’s 2nd of the game and capped off a three-point night. These two teams will meet again on Saturday in Kindersley.
Action will resume Saturday night with another five games on the docket.
Saturday, February 3rd:
Estevan @ Yorkton 7 pm
Melville @ Humboldt 7 pm
Melfort @ Nipawin 7 pm
La Ronge @ Battlefords 7:30 pm
Weyburn @ Kindersley 7:30 pm
