The 2nd final weekend of the SJHL regular season kicked off Friday night with four games on the schedule.
Humboldt 5 Battlefords 3
Two of the top teams clashed in Battlefords as the 1st place North Stars hosted the Humboldt Broncos. It was a back and forth contest between the two clubs, but with 4:07 remaining in regulation, Alec Saretzky would net his 25th of the season to give the Broncos the lead and they would hang on for the 5-3 win. The two teams will meet again Saturday night in Humboldt.
Nipawin 3 Flin Flon 4
Meanwhile, the team Humboldt is competing with for 2nd place in the SJHL standings, the Flin Flon Bombers held serve at home Friday night as they edged the Nipawin Hawk 4-3. With the win, the Bombers clinched the Sherwood division title and are set to finish either 2nd or 3rd in the SJHL standings going into the post-season. For the Hawks, they still haven’t clinched a spot in the playoffs. However, they can Saturday night with a loss by the Notre Dame Hounds in regulation.
La Ronge 6 Melfort 1
Also Friday night, the La Ronge Ice Wolves sent a message to the team they will be playing in the first round of the playoffs as they knocked off the Melfort Mustangs 6-1. Kale Taylor had a goal and two assists, and Ethan Strik found the back of the net twice in the win for the Ice Wolves who are now back in 4th place in the SJHL standings. Melfort does have a game in hand which they will play on Sunday when they host the Nipawin Hawks.
Yorkton 8 Melville 4
Finally, despite both teams being eliminated from the post-season, it was a heated battle between the Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires Friday night at the “Bank” in Melville. Not only was the game sheet filled with penalties, it was also filled with goals as the Terriers got the better of their Highway 10 rivals, winning 8-4. Karsten Kruska led the way offensively for the Terriers with a pair of goals and an assist.
Saturday will feature another four games across the SJHL.
Saturday, March 4th
Melville @ Yorkton 2pm
Notre Dame @ Estevan 7pm
Battlefords @ Humboldt 7:30pm
Weyburn @ Kindersley 7:30pm