The season is a quarter old! Let’s see where teams are as October turns to November.
The power rankings are decided by a group of SJHL media.
1. Weyburn Red Wings (9-4-1) (Last week 2nd)
Two more wins this past week, both at home vs. very tough opposition, have the Wings unbeaten in 10. Their only loss in that span was an overtime loss at an always-tough Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt last Tuesday. Ethan Dekay is as advertised, with 11 goals in 11 games, and count it three weeks in a row with a Weyburn goaltender among the league awards.
2. Melfort Mustangs (10-3-0) (Last week 1st)
The only reason the Mustangs dropped one spot is because they lost to the new kings of the SJHL, the Weyburn Red Wings, 5-3 on Saturday. Melfort had four dominating wins in a row before being pushed hard by Estevan Friday and falling the next night to snap their five-game win streak. Is Kristian Coombs on track for a Goaltender of the Year award?
3. Yorkton Terriers (8-7-0) (Last week 4th)
The Terriers earned six of a possible eight points this past week during a gruelling four-game, five-night road trip across the north of the league. Those four games have been since the forfeitures, and their team’s solid play looks to quickly take over the narrative for this club’s quick climb back up the standings.
4. Melville Millionaires (9-3-1) (Last week 3rd)
The Mils are winners of four of their last five, though they split an all-Viterra division weekend vs. Weyburn Friday and Estevan Saturday. Doug Johnson’s team looks to be strengthened again with the addition of Luke Brunen in net, and captain Caden Drury finally a night without a point against the Wings after 11-straight to start the year.
5. Humboldt Broncos (8-4-1) (Last week 6th)
Humboldt had a hard-earned four-game win streak snapped Saturday at the always-tough confines of the Whitney Forum, but with wins over the Flin Flon and Weyburn this past week, the Broncos can feel safe knowing they are back among the upper echelon of the SJHL this.
6. Kindersley Klippers (9-5-0) (Last week 5th)
A four-game home stand ended after an entertaining split from a pair with the high-flying Yorkton Terriers, and the best news is that as good as young Brett O’Halloran was in the net, they have their top dog Cody Jaman fit and ready to go. Young Jaxon Herchak should be considered a lock for next week’s Western All-Star Showcase in Warman.
7. Battlefords North Stars (8-4-1) (Last week 8th)
Two more wins for the North Stars over La Ronge to sweep that season series this past week, and the club has hardly missed a beat since Marty Smith took over, with their only loses coming in very tough spots at Humboldt and Melfort. Justen Maric has really solidified the crease since his return from the Alberta and Western Hockey Leagues, while Nikita Ivaschenko is easily one of the most dynamic players in the SJHL.
8. Flin Flon Bombers (6-8-1) (Last week 7th)
Behind second-year man Kenny Marquart, the Bombers got a badly-needed win Saturday at home against the Humboldt Broncos to snap a historically almost unprecedented four-game losing skid at the Whitney Forum. The performances have certainly been there for Mike Reagan’s men; the bounces have not. Flin Flon made big news this past week by bringing in WHL veteran goaltender Matthew Kieper, and it looks as though, along with young Massimo Urbani, the Bombers have three good options every night.
9. Estevan Bruins (4-5-2) (Last week 9th)
All three of Estevan’s losses in October were by one goal, and they were absolutely hard-luck losers at home in Melfort and Melville this past weekend. GM Jason Tatarnic’s addition of Kyle Kelsey in the net has more than paid off, and no matter what the standings say, the Bruins are as tough an out as any in the SJHL on a given night.
10. La Ronge Ice Wolves (5-8-1) (Last week 10th)
The Ice Wolves have been in it every night, but losses in five of six must be frustrating for the northerners. At least team star Mason Bueckert broke out of his goalless slump Saturday, and both Graham Brown and Logan Falk were terrific in the net.
11. Notre Dame Hounds (3-11-0) (Last week 12th)
The ever-inexperienced Hounds got a much-needed win in Nipawin Friday, in front of a brilliant performance from Spencer Borsos in net. It was an otherwise quiet week as the club had to figure out how to snap a six-game losing streak without their head coach, Brett Pilkington, who was away at the WHL Cup. Vinny Palmarin continues to have a rock-solid campaign on the back end, while Neka Jean has been a consistent point-producing revelation up front.
12. Nipawin Hawks (2-10-1) (Last week 11th)
Head coach Tad Kozun continues to stay positive despite a tough campaign for the league’s youngest group thus far. Despite losing at home to ND Friday, the Hawks did not play poorly and dominated the third period. The hope has to be for brighter days ahead for this team, with only one 20-year-old and two goaltenders under 19 years of age.
