PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (Dec 17)

CANALTA HOTELS SJHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:  Justin Ball, Melfort Mustangs
1998 F Justin Ball (Saskatoon SK) erupted for a four-goal game against the Humboldt Broncos on Friday night and is riding a 13 game goal scoring streak and a 31 game point scoring streak.  Ball ended the week with 7-goals and 3-assists in 3-games played. Six goals and two assists came in the head to head sweep over Humboldt. He also had a goal and an assist against Yorkton and he leads the league in scoring with 37-goals and 25-assists in 33-games played.  Runner-up: Carson Albrecht, Melfort.

SJHL DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK:  Daniel Liberty, Melville Millionaires
1999 D Daniel Liberty (Edmonton AB) helped guide the Mils to two wins in three games played last week and contributed a goal and two assists on offense as well.  The Mils, who need to play a tight defensive game to win, limited Estevan to 26 shots and 1 goal on Wednesday night. Liberty picked up a goal and an assist in that game.  He also had an assist in Friday’s loss to Yorkton and was a key factor in their win against the Terriers at home on Saturday as the club allowed just two goals. For the season, Liberty has 7-goals and 9-assists in 29-games played.  Runner-up: Aigne McGeady-Bruce, Estevan.

SASKTEL SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK:  Justen Close, Kindersley Klippers
1998 G Justen Close (Kindersley SK) helped the Klippers earn three of a possible four points during his two starts this past week as Kindersley played two tough teams and managed to get a shootout loss against Nipawin on Wednesday as he turned away 32-of-34 shots in regulation and overtime.  He made 38-saves on 39-shots on Saturday in a dominating win over Flin Flon and now sports an overall record of 15-6-1-2, 1.97, .934. Runner-up: Colby Entz, Melville.

DIRECTWEST SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:  Luke Spadafora, Melville Millionaires
2000 F Luke Spadafora (Calgary AB) scored goals in each of the Mils’ three games this past week and finished with 4 points.  He was the best player on the ice in scoring once and setting up another in a win over Estevan on Wednesday. He also picked up goals in Yorkton on Friday and back at home against the Terriers on Saturday to help the Mils win two of three and take over sole possession of the final playoff spot.  Spadafora has 5-goals and 5-assists in 15-games since being acquired from Humboldt and 8-goals, 16-assists in 32-games overall. Runner-up: Jarrett Penner, Notre Dame.