We’re deeper into December now, and the jostling for position is as fierce as ever!
A group of SJHL media decides the power rankings.
1. Melfort Mustangs (21-4-0) (Last week 1st)
Three games this week, three dominant wins. Reilley Kotai moved into the league lead in points, and this juggernaut looks unstoppable right now. The Win streak is now at 10.
2. Flin Flon Bombers (15-9-1) (Last week 3rd)
The Bombers kept pace with Melfort at home with wins over the Melville Millionaires and are now at nine consecutive victories. Flin Flon has not lost since October.
3. Yorkton Terriers (15-9-1) (Last week 4th)
Yorkton snapped a mini-losing streak this past week by winning two tight 4-3 games at Notre Dame and home vs. Kindersley. Win pretty, win ugly; for the most part, the Terriers have found a way this year. If you can, check out Dustin Renas’ shootout winner in Wilcox from last Tuesday; it was a beauty.
4. Battlefords North Stars (14-7-5) (Last week 9th)
The North Stars and Weyburn Red Wings are developing a serious rivalry despite their geographic distance, and another two feisty, firey games ended up with Battlefords grabbing three of a possible four points this past weekend at home. Look out for the North Stars: they spend much of the next little while at home.
5. Weyburn Red Wings (14-7-2) (Last week 2nd)
The Wings find themselves in their first stretch of real adversity since the beginning of the year, but the talent is still there to rip off wins like few others in the league. Weyburn also had a streak of five one-goal games in a row, which ended with a tough loss this past Saturday in Battlefords.
6. Melville Millionaires (13-11-3) (Last week 5th)
The best story out of the Mils this past weekend was the play of Affiliate Player call-up Taylor Tabashniuk in net, and although they were outscored 7-1 up in Flin Flon, the games were a lot closer than that. This team is still playing Doug Johnson’s way despite some adversity.
7. La Ronge Ice Wolves (13-14-1) (Last week, 7th)
The Wolves were the latest victims of the Melfort juggernaut this past weekend, but it’s just hard to imagine who can stop the Mustangs right now. Mason Bueckert scored two more goals over the weekend, continuing his strong form from November.
8. Kindersley Klippers (13-14-1) (Last week 10th)
The Klippers pulled off one of their biggest wins of the year so far in taking down the Humboldt Broncos at home on Friday behind four points from Avery Johnson. Though they could not rally the next night in Yorkton after going down early, they are still back to playing the way Coach Clayton Jardine wants them to.
9. Humboldt Broncos (13-11-1) (Last week 6th)
Two defeats this past weekend, including an uncharacteristic loss at home on Saturday to the Notre Dame Hounds, were not without their chances. This group has generated chances and played in the offensive zone all year, but the finishing touch and results have only sometimes followed. There is no need to panic at the EPA, as they still have all the talent and experience they need, especially with stars Jacob Strizzi and Oakley McIlwain back from Canada West Selection Camp.
10. Notre Dame Hounds (8-16-3) (Last week 11th)
It was a great news, bad news kind of week for the Hounds. Notre Dame lost in a shootout against Yorkton and lost key defenceman Vinny Palmarin to the WHL (at least for the time being), but also beat Humboldt and extended their unbeaten run to four games. This team seems to sit at a crossroads: are they legitimately making a push, or is this a blip? Spencer Borsos has been as hot as any goaltender in the league the last couple of weeks.
11. Nipawin Hawks (6-16-3) (Last week 12th)
Two emotional wins at home over the Estevan Bruins have rejuvenated this great fanbase, and it looks like this young core is starting to internalize the lessons Tad Kozun and his staff have tried to instill in them. Finley Radloff continues to prove he is one of the elite all-around forwards in the SJHL.
12. Estevan Bruins (9-11-4) (Last week 8th)
The Bruins keep taking one step forward, one step back this year. Two weeks ago, they had won four in a row, including big ones over Battlefords and Weyburn, but this past week fell short against Melfort and two in Nipawin. There is far too much experience and talent in this Estevan team to be this inconsistent, so the question is: will they find it before it’s too late?
