The SJHL Power Rankings are decided every week by a group of SJHL broadcasters and will be released each Tuesday.
1. Flin Flon Bombers 38-3-2-0 (Last Week 1st):
The busiest team this past week in the SJHL was the 1st place Flin Flon Bombers as they played four games in five nights on the road. After winning the first three games, the Bombers ran out of gas as they dropped just their 3rd game in regulation on Saturday to the Estevan Bruins. Despite the loss, Flin Flon has plenty of breathing room at the top of the standings are inching closer to clinching another Sherwood division title. The Bombers will be back on the road Wednesday in Melfort and then return home for a pair of games with the Battlefords North Stars this weekend.
2. Battlefords North Stars 32-9-3-1 (Last Week 2nd):
After a late loss to the Yorkton Terriers early on in the week, the Battlefords North Stars got back in the win column Friday night on the road in Wilcox against the Hounds. With 11 games to go the Stars are six points up on the Humboldt Broncos for both 2nd place in the SJHL standings and top spot in the Nutrien division. Battlefords will be on the road this weekend for a re-match of last year’s final as they head up to the Whitney Forum for a pair of games.
3. Humboldt Broncos 29-12-3-1 (Last Week 4th):
It was a big weekend for the Humboldt Broncos as they completed the home-and-home sweep of the Melfort Mustangs to vault them into third place. Since the SJHL/MJHL Showcase, the Broncos have gone 4-0 and have been playing some of their best hockey in the last two weeks. Spencer Bell has been on fire for the Broncos as of late, scoring four goals in two games against Melfort this past week and was named SGEU MVP of the Week. Humboldt will be in Wilcox on Thursday for a contest with the Notre Dame Hounds and then will be home to the Kindersley Klippers on Saturday & on Family Day.
4. Melfort Mustangs 29-13-3-0 (Last Week 3rd):
After a win over the Weyburn Red Wings on the road early in the week, it was a disappointing weekend for the Mustangs as they lost both games to the Humboldt Broncos. It won’t get any easier for the Mustangs as they will be back at it Wednesday at home against the Flin Flon Bombers. A point on Wednesday or a loss by the Nipawin Hawks would result in the Mustangs officially clinching a playoff spot. Melfort will also be on the road this coming weekend in southeast Saskatchewan for games against Estevan and Weyburn.
5. Estevan Bruins 20-20-1-2 (Last Week 5th):
One game and one big win for the Estevan Bruins this past week, knocking off the Flin Flon Bombers 4-2 Saturday at Affinity Place. The Bruins become just the 2nd team in the league to knock off all four of the Top 4 teams (Melville being the other). Estevan will look to build off of Saturday’s win when they travel to Yorkton for a big divisional game against the Terriers. They will then be home this weekend for games Friday against Melfort, Saturday versus Yorkton, and on Family Day Monday against the Notre Dame Hounds.
6. Kindersley Klippers 19-20-4-2 (Last Week 7th):
The Kindersley Klippers wrapped up their six-game homestand this past week and earned five out of a possible six points to help give them a bit of a cushion when it comes to holding on to a playoff spot. However, now the Klippers will hit the road for three big games this week. It all starts Friday night when the Klippers and Nipawin Hawks meet for the third time in 8 days. They will then be in Humboldt for games on Saturday and Family Day against the Broncos.
7. Melville Millionaires 20-20-0-1 (Last Week 6th):
Melville earned three out of a possible six points this past week and still has the most games remaining out of any team in the league. Only one point back of the Kindersley Klippers for 5th place and a busy week ahead for the Mills as they take to the ice four times. It all begins Wednesday as they travel to Nipawin for a battle with the Hawks. Melville will then be home to La Ronge on Friday and Saturday, and then wrap up the week on Family Day in Weyburn against the Red Wings.
8. Weyburn Red Wings 17-21-0-5 (Last Week 8th):
Sometimes it’s not how many wins you get in a week, but it’s who you beat. While the Wings may have lost to both the Melfort Mustangs and Flin Flon Bombers, they got the important divisional win over the Yorkton Terriers Saturday night on the road. Going into the week, the Wings own the 8th and final playoff spot. However, they have teams right on their heels. The Wings will play three home games this week as they welcome La Ronge on Wednesday, Melfort on Saturday, and Melville on Monday. (Family Day)
9. Yorkton Terriers 16-24-2-2 (Last Week 9th):
Three out of six points is never a bad week in the SJHL, but when you are a team chasing a playoff spot, it does make it difficult to make up ground. Going into the week, the Terriers sit 3 points back of the 8th and final playoff spot and in 10th place. Yorkton also has one of the quieter schedules this week with only two games on the docket. They will play a pair of games against the Estevan Bruins beginning tonight (Tuesday) at home and then the follow-up contest on Saturday in Estevan at Affinity Place.
10. Nipawin Hawks 17-23-0-4 (Last Week 10th):
The Nipawin Hawks snapped their lengthy losing skid Saturday on the road in Kindersley to earn a split with the Klippers. Nipawin is just a point back of the 8th and final playoff spot going into the week and they will return home this week. They will host the Melville Millionaires on Wednesday and then have another contest with the Kindersley Klippers on Friday.
11. La Ronge Ice Wolves 15-26-2-2 (Last Week 11th):
It’s gut-check time for the La Ronge Ice Wolves as they hit the road this week and if they aim to chase down a playoff spot this week will be crucial. After earning a split with Melville at home this weekend, the Ice Wolves are five points back of a playoff spot and have played the most games in the league. La Ronge will begin a four-game five-night road trip Tuesday night against the Notre Dame Hounds. They will then be in Weyburn on Wednesday and Melville on Friday and Saturday.
12. Notre Dame Hounds. 11-31-2-0 (Last Week 12th):
After two losses to the top two teams in the SJHL, the Notre Dame Hounds will wrap up their homestand with a pair of games this week as they host La Ronge on Tuesday and Humboldt on Thursday as Notre Dame aims to snap a three-game losing skid. The Hounds will also be in Estevan on Family Day Monday.
