The 2025 SJHL Playoffs, presented by UPL, begin Friday night. Here’s how each team matches up in their respective series going into the start of the post-season, with a few burning questions from each.
#1 Melfort Mustangs vs. #8 Kindersley Klippers
Burning Questions:
- Will the Klippers lean on veteran Cody Jaman or SaskTel Goaltender of the Year nominee and rookie Brett O’Halloran in net?
- How will the Kindersley generate offence, either in even strength or on the power play, against this Melfort team defence that gave up the fewest amount of goals in a regular season since the 2018-19 Nipawin Hawks (123 goals against)?
- How will the Mustangs handle their first significant games in a while, since they have had their first overall locked up since the first day of March?
#2 Flin Flon Bombers vs. #7 Humboldt Broncos
Burning Questions:
- Jacob Strizzi led the Broncos by 18 points; if the Bombers shut him down, who will generate offence for Humboldt?
- Who will do better in this remarkable goaltending match-up between Flin Flon’s Matthew Kieper and Humboldt’s Dazza Mitchell?
- How many minutes can Broncos’ superstar defenceman Oakley McIlwain play?
#3 Weyburn Red Wings vs. #6 Battlefords North Stars
Burning Questions:
- Which Justen Maric will show up? At his best, the Battlefords’ veteran netminder has been unbeatable and will have to be again for the Stars to win this.
- Are the North Stars truly the underdogs, given they have taken seven of a possible eight points from the Wings this season?
- Which Weyburn pairing will get the task of stopping what might has been the best line in the SJHL down the stretch: Anthony Campbell between Nikita Ivaschenko and Josh Knittig?
#4 Yorkton Terriers vs. #5 Melville Millionaires
Burning Questions
- The intensity in this highly anticipated Highway 10 rivalry will surely be at a fever pitch; which of these clubs will manage their emotions correctly?
- Do the Millionaires have enough offence to outshoot this potent Terriers attack?
- Who will win the battle between Melville’s top pair of Matt Kjemhus and Noah Belles-Isles and Yorkton’s top line of David Coyle with Jaron Desnoyers?
