The SJHL Power Rankings are decided each and every week by a group of SJHL broadcasters and will be released each Tuesday.
1. Melfort Mustangs 2-0-0-0: It was a perfect weekend for the Melfort Mustangs as they earned a pair of wins within the Sherwood division to kick off their season. Friday they exploded for eight goals in their Home Opener against the La Ronge Ice Wolves and then followed it up with a 2-1 overtime win in Flin Flon at the Whitney Forum. Aidyn Hutchinson was named SGEU MVP of the Week following his three-point weekend which saw him net the overtime winner Saturday and Zac Somers, who’s is in his 3rd year with the Mustangs, earned Saskatchewan Player of the Week.
2. Humboldt Broncos 2-0-0-0: The only other team in the SJHL to start the season with a perfect record was the Humboldt Broncos. They swept their home and home set with the Notre Dame Hounds winning 5-0 at home and then 6-3 on the road Sunday. Matthew Van Blaricom led the charge with a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Benjamin Motew was also rock solid in between the pipes, earning a shutout in the Broncos’ Home Opener Saturday night.
3. Flin Flon Bombers 1-0-1-0: It was almost a perfect weekend to start the season for the Flin Flon Bombers, but they suffered a loss in overtime Saturday night at home. Still, plenty of positives from the opening weekend for the Bombers including DirectWest Rookie of the Week Trevor Stenglein who found the back of the net three times in his first two games in the SJHL. The Bombers will continue their tour of the Sherwood division to start the year as they meet the La Ronge Ice Wolves in a home and home this weekend.
4. Weyburn Red Wings 1-0-0-1: The Weyburn Red Wings and the Yorkton Terriers are quite familiar with each other after numerous contests in the pre-season and now a pair of games to start the season. The first two meetings between the two Viterra division rivals couldn’t have been closer as each team won a game in extra time and lost a game in extra time. Dazza Mitchell was superb for the Red Wings in both games and as a result, earned Sasktel Goalie of the Week honours. Weyburn will begin a home and home this weekend with their Highway 39 rivals, the Estevan Bruins.
5. Yorkton Terriers 1-0-1-0: It’s only fitting to put the Yorkton Terriers and Weyburn Red Wings side by side in the Power Rankings after how close their home and home was this weekend. Like Dazza Mitchell, Caleb Allen was outstanding for the Terriers, finishing the weekend with a 1.40 GAA and a .960 SV%. The Terriers will host the Battlefords North Stars for a pair of games this week on Thursday and Friday.
6. Melville Millionaires 1-1-0-0: It was a good start to the Doug Johnson era in Melville this weekend as they split their weekend home and home against the Estevan Bruins. They fell just short Friday night but bounced back in a big way in their Home Opener as they blanked the Bruins 5-0. Caden Drury found the back of the net twice and Will Dyke was rock solid in between the pipes in both contests for his new club. Melville will be back on the ice Saturday when they host Battlefords.
7. Battlefords North Stars 1-1-0-0: A weekend split also happened in the Nutrien division between the Battlefords North Stars and the Kindersley Klippers. The Stars impressed in their home opener where they received their Championship banner from last season as they earned a 4-0 win which was highlighted by rookie goaltender Joey Hawco shutting out the Klippers with a 29 save performance. The Stars will hit the road for three games in three nights this week as they visit Yorkton twice and conclude the trip in Melville on Saturday.
8. Estevan Bruins 1-1-0-0: The Estevan Bruins split their home and home with Melville, earning a 3-2 win in their Home Opener, but were blanked in Melville in the re-match Saturday. The number one line of Keegan Little, Owen Barrow, and Brendan Hunchak were on the ice for all three goals in the win Friday and they will be looking to lead the charge for the Bruins this season. Estevan will host Weyburn for the first half of a home and home beginning Friday.
9. Kindersley Klippers 1-1-0-0: The Kindersley Klippers entertained their home crowd at the West Central Events Centre Saturday night as they walked away with a 5-3 win over their hometown fans. Their power-play was exceptional in the victory, finding the back of the net four times. Logan Falk was also outstanding for the Klippers Saturday night, making 45 saves in the win. Kindersley will be on the road this weekend for a pair of games against Nipawin and Melfort.
10. La Ronge Ice Wolves 1-1-0-0: After suffering an 8-4 loss on the road in their first game of the season, the La Ronge Ice Wolves bounced back at home with a 3-2 shootout win over the Nipawin Hawks. It was also a big bounce back for Topher Chirico in between the pipes who was in net for all eight goals Friday night in Melfort. La Ronge will meet the Flin Flon Bombers for a pair of games this weekend.
11. Nipawin Hawks 0-1-0-1: Despite not winning this weekend, there are still some positives to look at for Nipawin Hawks fans. The big one was the play of Damon Cunningham. Friday he made 44 saves in the Hawks home opener and then followed it up with a 54 save performance Saturday in La Ronge. The Hawks will be home to Kindersley and Notre Dame this weekend.
12. Notre Dame Hounds 0-2-0-0: It was a tough opening weekend for the Notre Dame Hounds as they were swept by the Humboldt Broncos 5-0 in Humboldt Saturday and then 6-3 at home Sunday. One positive for the Hounds from Sunday’s contest was their power-play which went 2/4 in the loss. The Hounds will eye their first win of the season this weekend when they hit the road for games in Melfort and Nipawin.
