As everyone else seems to be getting into the business of doing power rankings for different sports I thought I would give it a try as well. Without further adieu - let the debate begin.
1. Melville Millionaires (5-0-0-0) - Outstanding goaltending from Kyle Cantlon and determined play by the likes of Dion Campbell and Bryant Dyke leave the Mils with a perfect start to the season. Add in great secondary scoring from the likes of Shane Stanicky and Matt Kinnunen and solid play of Derek Edwards on the back end make this team a force to be reckoned with. I look forward to the Melville - Weyburn matchup on Friday. Will be a great measuring stick for both teams.
2. Humboldt Broncos (4-1-0-0) - Taylor Nelson does not know how to lose hockey games. The Broncos goaltender was nearly flawless in his starts last season and is again off to a fine start in 2007-08. The Broncos boast a very balanced offensive attack with the likes of Jordan Schindel, Matt Kirzinger and Laurent Benjamin to name a few, finding the scoresheet on a nightly basis. The Broncos are also strong on the back end with the likes of Brady Wacker and Matt Rintoul providing a lot of minutes. Humboldt ranks ahead of Weyburn based on their 5-0 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.
3. Weyburn Red Wings (5-1-0-0) - The Red Wings have won three in a row away from home ice with wins over Melfort, Flin Flon and Battlefords this week. Rookie goaltender AJ Whiffen had a great week for the Wings as he went 2-0 allowing only 2 goals in 120 minutes of action. The Wings found their offensive touch this weekend as Torrey Lindsay, Luke Johnson, Joel Langevin and Preston Shupe to name a few all had multi-point games. Brayden Nargang solidified the Red Wings attack adding four points this weekend in his return from the WHL. The Wings have been getting solid contribution from everyone on the back end and is hard to single out one or two players. The Wings will have a couple of tough games this week as they face the Nipawin Hawks on Tuesday and Melville on Friday. Both games are in Weyburn.
4. Estevan Bruins (3-2-0-0) - It was a great week for the Bruins as they managed to win three games in less than 72 hours. The Bruins got solid goaltending from both Guillaume Perusse and Karsten Felske over the weekend. Kyle Stroh and Payden Benning have been putting up big offensive numbers as of late. The Bruins also get a lot of offense from 20 year old defenseman Kealin Wong who has been solid. It is a busy week for the Bruins as they host Nipawin on Wednesday before heading north for three games in three nights with visits to Flin Flon, La Ronge and Melfort.
5. Nipawin Hawks (3-2-0-0) - The Hawks have been solid in all of their games so far and they could have went either way in every situation. Derek Kleinsteuber and Danny Gagne have split the goaltending duties to this point and there is not much to pick and choose between the two. The Hawks received a boost offensively when Brent Ottmann joined the team after being released by the Prince Albert Raiders. Ottmann will help complement Torrie Dyck and Adam Schwark who have put up good numbers so far. Blair Toms has anchored the defense for Nipawin. The Hawks have a tough southern road trip as they are in Weyburn and Estevan this week before returning home to face Humboldt on Friday. This is a week for the Hawks to show whether they are for real or not.
6. Kindersley Klippers (3-1-0-0) - As was the case last year, the Klippers have relied heavily on the play of goaltender Ryan Nieszner thus far this season. The Klippers had a weekend of mixed results as they were hammered by Humboldt before winning an overtime battle with Flin Flon on Sunday. Ryan Sawka has started off stong offensively for the Klippers who also rely on the likes of Brett Leedahl and Matt Sawa to name a few to put points on the board. Milo Miller and Scott Linnell lead the defense for the Klippers. The Klippers hit the road to Yorkton and Melville this week and then return home on Saturday to face Battlefords, a team they have already defeated twice this season.
7. Yorkton Terriers (2-3-0-1) - The Terriers started out slow but have now won two in a row including a win over the Itech Conference leaders from Humboldt. Lynden Sammartino and Mark Currie have split the goaltending duties so far with neither one really taking the upper hand as of yet. Jeff Steele has been a fine addition for the Terriers playing on a line with Kyle Block. Corey Silverson and Derek Serdachny amongst others lead the way offensively for Yorkton. Michael Trebish and Jordan Pawelec anchor the defense for the Terriers. The Terriers have a quiet week as they only play once - against Kindersley on Tuesday at home.
8. La Ronge Ice Wolves (2-4-0-0) - The Ice Wolves could be much better than 2-4 as goaltenders Jonathan Jobin and Brian Kaval have been sensational. Jordie Johnston, Jarrid Dowhay and Bruno-Pierre Gosselin have provided much of the offense to date. Calvin Fiddler has also been solid for La Ronge. The Ice Wolves host a pair of Sherwood Conference teams this week as Notre Dame and Estevan come to town.
9. Melfort Mustangs (2-3-0-0) - The Mustangs are not a flashy team, especially without Taylor Watt in the lineup - and he will be out until at least Christmas according to reports out of Melfort. The Mustangs acquired Cam Oliphant from the AJHL to help the offense. Clint Olson and Jordan Morgan will be expected to provide offense. Brady Gordon and Mike Kirby have chipped in from the back end. David Ritz and Drew Strandberg have been sharing the goaltending duties so far in Melfort. The Mustangs have home games against the Battlefords and Estevan this week.
10. Flin Flon Bombers (1-3-0-1) - There is no doubt the Bombers can score goals. Dennis Kubat, Pierre-Luc Boucher and David Linsley to name a few are as good an offensive trio as any team can boost. The back end is a bit inexperienced but Michael Young and Jean-Sebastien Bergeron have been good additions thus far. Calvin Bartel and Carsen Chubak need to be more consistent in goal in order for the Bombers to improve on their record. The Bombers host Estevan and Notre Dame on the weekend.
11. Battlefords North Stars (1-4-1-0) - The North Stars are a very young team and their is going to be some bumps on the road. For example, the 12-3 loss on opening weekend in Kindersley. Ryan Kerpan has looked strong in goal when he has played. On the flip side, Adrien Lemay has stuggled. 20 year old Jordan Kaczmar has also started a game for the Stars. A pleasant surprise for the Stars offensively has to be Barrett Penner who has seven points to start the season. Nick Kalnicki has to pick it up offensively for the Stars to score goals. The Stars are led on the back end by Cory Demko and Matt Restoule. Jesse Lebreton has also played well for the Stars from all reports.
12. Notre Dame Hounds (1-5-0-0). Much like the Stars, the Hounds are inexperienced but have shown signs of breaking out. Bryan Hull has had a great start offensively, with help from the likes of Rylan Schwartz and Travis Janke. Tanner Vandesype is the power play anchor and top defenseman on the team. Michel-Andre Guay has seen a bulk of the work in goal with Antoine Desrosiers getting in a couple of starts.
Opinions? Please feel free to comment. I will be posting every Sunday night after all games have been played for that week. Power rankings will not necessarily reflect the order of the standings, but rather the way a team is currently playing.
- Brad M.
1. Melville Millionaires (5-0-0-0) - Outstanding goaltending from Kyle Cantlon and determined play by the likes of Dion Campbell and Bryant Dyke leave the Mils with a perfect start to the season. Add in great secondary scoring from the likes of Shane Stanicky and Matt Kinnunen and solid play of Derek Edwards on the back end make this team a force to be reckoned with. I look forward to the Melville - Weyburn matchup on Friday. Will be a great measuring stick for both teams.
2. Humboldt Broncos (4-1-0-0) - Taylor Nelson does not know how to lose hockey games. The Broncos goaltender was nearly flawless in his starts last season and is again off to a fine start in 2007-08. The Broncos boast a very balanced offensive attack with the likes of Jordan Schindel, Matt Kirzinger and Laurent Benjamin to name a few, finding the scoresheet on a nightly basis. The Broncos are also strong on the back end with the likes of Brady Wacker and Matt Rintoul providing a lot of minutes. Humboldt ranks ahead of Weyburn based on their 5-0 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.
3. Weyburn Red Wings (5-1-0-0) - The Red Wings have won three in a row away from home ice with wins over Melfort, Flin Flon and Battlefords this week. Rookie goaltender AJ Whiffen had a great week for the Wings as he went 2-0 allowing only 2 goals in 120 minutes of action. The Wings found their offensive touch this weekend as Torrey Lindsay, Luke Johnson, Joel Langevin and Preston Shupe to name a few all had multi-point games. Brayden Nargang solidified the Red Wings attack adding four points this weekend in his return from the WHL. The Wings have been getting solid contribution from everyone on the back end and is hard to single out one or two players. The Wings will have a couple of tough games this week as they face the Nipawin Hawks on Tuesday and Melville on Friday. Both games are in Weyburn.
4. Estevan Bruins (3-2-0-0) - It was a great week for the Bruins as they managed to win three games in less than 72 hours. The Bruins got solid goaltending from both Guillaume Perusse and Karsten Felske over the weekend. Kyle Stroh and Payden Benning have been putting up big offensive numbers as of late. The Bruins also get a lot of offense from 20 year old defenseman Kealin Wong who has been solid. It is a busy week for the Bruins as they host Nipawin on Wednesday before heading north for three games in three nights with visits to Flin Flon, La Ronge and Melfort.
5. Nipawin Hawks (3-2-0-0) - The Hawks have been solid in all of their games so far and they could have went either way in every situation. Derek Kleinsteuber and Danny Gagne have split the goaltending duties to this point and there is not much to pick and choose between the two. The Hawks received a boost offensively when Brent Ottmann joined the team after being released by the Prince Albert Raiders. Ottmann will help complement Torrie Dyck and Adam Schwark who have put up good numbers so far. Blair Toms has anchored the defense for Nipawin. The Hawks have a tough southern road trip as they are in Weyburn and Estevan this week before returning home to face Humboldt on Friday. This is a week for the Hawks to show whether they are for real or not.
6. Kindersley Klippers (3-1-0-0) - As was the case last year, the Klippers have relied heavily on the play of goaltender Ryan Nieszner thus far this season. The Klippers had a weekend of mixed results as they were hammered by Humboldt before winning an overtime battle with Flin Flon on Sunday. Ryan Sawka has started off stong offensively for the Klippers who also rely on the likes of Brett Leedahl and Matt Sawa to name a few to put points on the board. Milo Miller and Scott Linnell lead the defense for the Klippers. The Klippers hit the road to Yorkton and Melville this week and then return home on Saturday to face Battlefords, a team they have already defeated twice this season.
7. Yorkton Terriers (2-3-0-1) - The Terriers started out slow but have now won two in a row including a win over the Itech Conference leaders from Humboldt. Lynden Sammartino and Mark Currie have split the goaltending duties so far with neither one really taking the upper hand as of yet. Jeff Steele has been a fine addition for the Terriers playing on a line with Kyle Block. Corey Silverson and Derek Serdachny amongst others lead the way offensively for Yorkton. Michael Trebish and Jordan Pawelec anchor the defense for the Terriers. The Terriers have a quiet week as they only play once - against Kindersley on Tuesday at home.
8. La Ronge Ice Wolves (2-4-0-0) - The Ice Wolves could be much better than 2-4 as goaltenders Jonathan Jobin and Brian Kaval have been sensational. Jordie Johnston, Jarrid Dowhay and Bruno-Pierre Gosselin have provided much of the offense to date. Calvin Fiddler has also been solid for La Ronge. The Ice Wolves host a pair of Sherwood Conference teams this week as Notre Dame and Estevan come to town.
9. Melfort Mustangs (2-3-0-0) - The Mustangs are not a flashy team, especially without Taylor Watt in the lineup - and he will be out until at least Christmas according to reports out of Melfort. The Mustangs acquired Cam Oliphant from the AJHL to help the offense. Clint Olson and Jordan Morgan will be expected to provide offense. Brady Gordon and Mike Kirby have chipped in from the back end. David Ritz and Drew Strandberg have been sharing the goaltending duties so far in Melfort. The Mustangs have home games against the Battlefords and Estevan this week.
10. Flin Flon Bombers (1-3-0-1) - There is no doubt the Bombers can score goals. Dennis Kubat, Pierre-Luc Boucher and David Linsley to name a few are as good an offensive trio as any team can boost. The back end is a bit inexperienced but Michael Young and Jean-Sebastien Bergeron have been good additions thus far. Calvin Bartel and Carsen Chubak need to be more consistent in goal in order for the Bombers to improve on their record. The Bombers host Estevan and Notre Dame on the weekend.
11. Battlefords North Stars (1-4-1-0) - The North Stars are a very young team and their is going to be some bumps on the road. For example, the 12-3 loss on opening weekend in Kindersley. Ryan Kerpan has looked strong in goal when he has played. On the flip side, Adrien Lemay has stuggled. 20 year old Jordan Kaczmar has also started a game for the Stars. A pleasant surprise for the Stars offensively has to be Barrett Penner who has seven points to start the season. Nick Kalnicki has to pick it up offensively for the Stars to score goals. The Stars are led on the back end by Cory Demko and Matt Restoule. Jesse Lebreton has also played well for the Stars from all reports.
12. Notre Dame Hounds (1-5-0-0). Much like the Stars, the Hounds are inexperienced but have shown signs of breaking out. Bryan Hull has had a great start offensively, with help from the likes of Rylan Schwartz and Travis Janke. Tanner Vandesype is the power play anchor and top defenseman on the team. Michel-Andre Guay has seen a bulk of the work in goal with Antoine Desrosiers getting in a couple of starts.Opinions? Please feel free to comment. I will be posting every Sunday night after all games have been played for that week. Power rankings will not necessarily reflect the order of the standings, but rather the way a team is currently playing.
- Brad M.
Click the photo to head on over to some game action photos and random pics of the Wings.
1 Comment:
Good rankings Brad. I would say you are pretty much bang on.
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