SGEU MVP of the Week: Bradley Banach, Melville Millionaires
The Melville Millionaires clinched their first playoff spot since 2018 and the No. 5 seed heading into the post-season this past week and Banach, the 20-year-old from Mississauga, ONT, was a huge reason why. His four-goal night at Notre Dame Tuesday was the first multi-goal outing of his SJHL career, and at the same time snapped a seven-game goalless drought for him. He followed that performance up with the all-important opening goal two nights later in hard-fought 3-1 victory in Weyburn over the Red Wings.
Weekly Stats: 3GP, 5G-0A, 5 PTS
Bourgault Forward of the Week: Kian Bell, Battlefords North Stars
A six-game losing streak is not what the North Stars faithful are used to, but just like at the beginning of the season when the club was mired in sub-standard results, they turned to Kian Bell this weekend; and he delivered. The skid was snapped Saturday at the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt as Bell potted two goals and five points in a 7-4 Battlefords victory. It was an extra-important night as the win pushed the Stars back into third place in the standings. Kian had a goal and an assist the night before in the home defeat at the hands of the Broncos, and is in the midst of a nine-game point-scoring streak (20 points).
Weekly Stats: 2GP, 3G-4A, 7 PTS
SuperU Defenceman of the Week: Tanner Gold, Battlefords
Battlefords recent struggles have not born out on the performances of captain Tanner Gold. He has a four-game point-streak going, and his all-around play plus his two-assists were big-time in the Stars’ huge 7-4 win in Humboldt Saturday. Gold is now tied for fifth in league scoring among defencemen with 49 points through 50 games played. He and rookie sensation Carson Olsen have been as good a pairing as there is in the league this season.
Weekly Stats: 2GP, 1G-4A, 5 PTS
Sasktel Goalie of the Week: Will Dyke, Melville Millionaires
Another week, another brilliant performance by reigning SaskTel SJHL Goaltender of the Month Will Dyke. Another two wins put his personal start win-streak at five games, and his fifth shutout of the year, which came Saturday in a Division-clinching 1-0 victory over the Weyburn Red Wings, was just his latest piece of brilliance. Try these stats out for size: Dyke has given up two goals in his last 300 minutes, and has three shutouts in his last four games. The Mils cannot ask the big Newfoundlander for anything more than what he has given them lately.
Weekly Stats: 2-0-0-0, 1SO, 0.50 GAA, .979 SV%, 47 saves
DirectWest Rookie of the Week: Luc Bydal, Melville Millionaires
As smothering as the Melville Millionaires team defence has been over their six-game win streak, the goals have still been timely, and Luc Bydal has been as consistent a producer as anybody in the league this year. His two goals against Weyburn at Crescent Point Place Friday night were almost all the team needed. He is now only five points behind and one goal ahead of, 19-year-old ‘rookie’ Travis Bryson of the Humboldt Broncos for the rookie scoring lead, when it felt like the title was Bryson’s by far not too long ago. The Grand Forks, ND product has produced every step of his hockey career so far, so the fact that he is just keeping it going at this level should not come as much of a surprise.
Weekly Stats: 3GP, 3G-3A, 6 PTS
Canterra Seeds Saskatchewan Player of the Week: James Venne, Melfort Mustangs (from Saskatoon, Sask)
If James Venne is tired from leading the league in minutes played by 135, he has not shown it one iota. Another three victories brings his personal start win-streak to nine, and he sparkled in the three wins this past week, giving up a mere four goals over the span. The 19-year-old from Saskatoon earned SJHL SGEU MVP and SaskTel Goaltender of the Year nominations this past week, and is clearly playing the best hockey of his career right now.
Weekly Stats: 3-0-0-0, 1.33 GAA, .952 SV%, 80 saves
