REGINA, SK – On to Round 2 we go in the 2024 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs, presented by UPL.
Round 1 had all sorts of drama. Check out all the game-winners here:
The second Round 2 promises more of the same, with two serious rivalries set to get hot very fast.
Round 2 will run from Apr. 4 to Apr. 15, and features the final four teams re-seeded based on those who advanced from Round 1.
The last time these meetings occurred in the playoffs (research by Lucas Punkari – @lpunkari)
Flin Flon/Battlefords: 2023 Canterra Seeds Final (North Stars in four) – Last Bombers win was 2022 QF in six
Melfort/Humboldt: 2018 QF (Broncos in five) – Last Mustangs win was 2011 QF in six
Hereās how each team matches up in their respective series going into the start of the post-season, with a few burning questions from each.
#1 Flin Flon Bombers vs. #4 Battlefords North Stars
Burning questions:
- Both teams wrapped up their respective series in four, and last played March 27. Which one will be rustier off the hop?
- The regular-season series between the two averaged a whopping 9.25 combined goals per/game; will the goals fly in at the same rate? If it does, whom does that favour?
- Can 18-year-old Battlefords’ goaltender Logan Cunningham continue his terrific play from Round 1, and match the veteran Harmon Laser-Hume at the other end?
#2 Melfort Mustangs vs. #3 Humboldt Broncos
Burning questions:
- Humboldt just wrapped up their tough, seven-game set with the Weyburn Red Wings Tuesday night; can they use that momentum in Game 1 or will they be too gassed?
- Melfort’s penalty kill struggled at a rate of 68% in Round 1 vs. Estevan; can it improve against Humboldt, whose power play was almost three percent better than the Bruins in the regular season?
- Mustangs’ No. 1 James Venne’s save percentage was in the .830s vs. Humboldt in the regular season, though he was rock solid in Round 1. Which Venne will show up?
- How healthy is key Broncos’ forward Matthew Van Blaricom?
Round 2 schedules:
