Power Rankings (for the week ended Oct. 28)

This week sees a lot of movement in the middle. The Yorkton Terriers and Notre Dame Hounds are amongst the teams on the rise, while the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Nipawin Hawks are on the decline this week. (sorry about the lack of presentation this week but kept getting errors trying to load team logos this week)

1. Humboldt Broncos (14-3-0-0) LW: 1

Although the Broncos were grounded a bit after a loss to the Terriers on Friday night, they did have a pair of big wins over Kindersley and are getting balanced scoring, great defense and steady goaltending which are all ingredients for a championship team. Players such as Dane Lindskog and Bryce Walker may not get all the press time but have been a very big part of the Broncos balanced attack. Veteran defenseman Russ Nielsen has been putting up a point per game type numbers. Taylor Nelson seldom has an off night in the Humboldt goal. The Broncos head out on the road for a couple of games this week as they are in Estevan on Thursday and Weyburn on Friday.

2. Melville Millionaires (13-3-1-0) LW: 2

The Millionaires returned to their winning ways this week as they posted big victories over the Battlefords North Stars and Nipawin Hawks. The Mils had Kyle Cantlon back this week and he won both starts. Dion Campbell has continued his strong play as of late as has Brad Johnston. Kale Dolinski has also been on top of his game. The Millionaires play three road games this week as they head to Notre Dame on Wednesday and then are off to North Battleford and Kindersley on the weekend.

3. Yorkton Terriers (10-7-1-2) LW: 10

The Terriers take the biggest jump I have ever had in my rankings but earned it with three huge wins this week including an impressive win over the Humboldt Broncos. The Terriers were also able to go into Estevan and beat the Bruins on home ice and also defeated the Battlefords on home ice. Lynden Sammartino was back in fine form this week as he played tremendous in the wins over Humboldt and Estevan. Kyle Block continues to produce for the Terriers and Carter Smith continues to be the Terriers best forward in my mind. The Terriers have a pair of home games this week against division rivals. The Estevan Bruins visit on Wednesday while Weyburn will be in town on Saturday, a team the Terriers have not been able to defeat so far this season.

4. Melfort Mustangs (10-7-0-0) LW: 9

The Mustangs had am impressive week as they posted wins over Kindersley and La Ronge. A big part of the Mustangs recent success can be attributed to the arrival of Russian born goaltender Ilia Ejov. Ejov has helped solidify the goaltending situation as he replaces the ineffective David Ritz. Taylor Watt has been amazing for the Stangs as he has averaged over two points a game. Clint Olson has benefitted the most since Watt returned from injury. The Mustangs will also have Matt Hill back in the lineup this week after he completes his four game suspension. Brady Gordon has been piling up the points as of late on the blue line. The Mustangs have three road games this week which should help prove where they really are at. They will travel to Battlefords, Kindersley and Nipawin this week.

5. Estevan Bruins (10-7-2-0) LW: 3

The Bruins lost a pair of home games this past weekend as they were on the wrong end of games with Flin Flon and Yorkton. That being said, they were in both games and had the opportunity to win both. The Bruins also played both games without leading scorer Payden Benning. Trevor Mock has been a nice addition as he has 10 points in 10 games for the Bruins. The Bruins will be tested this week as they travel to Yorkton on Wednesday and then return home for a game against Humboldt on Thursday.

6. Flin Flon Bombers (10-7-0-1) LW: 4

The Bombers had a pair of losses sandwiched between wins against Nipawin and Estevan this week. The trio of Dennis Kubat, Reid MacLeod and Pierre-Luc Boucher was shutout for a rare time on Friday night in Weyburn and obviously were angry as they took it out on the Bruins on Saturday night. The three combined for 12 points against the Bruins. I got an opportunity to see the Bombers for the first time this season on Friday and I get the sense that the real Bombers did not show up that night for whatever reason. An issue of concern for the Bombers may be the fact that the first line is responsible for most of the offense and that Carsen Chubak and Calvin Bartel have been inconsistent in goal. This team is going to be in a lot of 6-5 type games in my opinion. The Bombers will get a nice rest before returning to action on Saturday night when they host the Nipawin Hawks.

7. Weyburn Red Wings (10-7-1-1) LW: 6

Would the real Weyburn Red Wings please stand up? The Wings followed up arguably their best performance of the season with there worst as they pounded the Bombers before being embarrassed by the Hounds on Saturday. AJ Whiffen is now the undisputed number one goaltender and made good on Friday night as he picked up the shutout over Flin Flon. The Wings continue to get balanced scoring as Josh Bray, Torrey Lindsay, Preston Shupe, Brayden Nargang and the list goes on have all been lighting the lamp as of late. Kyle Haines is playing his best hockey of the season and in my estimation should be a unanimous selection for an all star starting spot this season. The Wings have a busy week as they host Notre Dame on Tuesday, Humboldt on Friday and then hit the road to Yorkton on Saturday.

8. Kindersley Klippers (9-8-0-1)LW: 8

Although the Klippers were 1-3 this week, they did lose a tough one to Humboldt on Sunday night after getting a late third period penalty. A positive for the Klippers has been the return of Scott Linnell on the blue line and the re-discovered offensive punch of Brett Leedahl. Ryan Sawka has also been hot as of late often having two or more points per game. Randy Willis appears to have won the backup job behind Ryan Nieszner. The Klippers have the benefit of three home games this week as they host Melfort, La Ronge and Melville.

9. La Ronge Ice Wolves (8-9-1-0) LW: 5

The Ice Wolves followed up one of their best weeks of the season with a bad one as they lost games to Melfort and Kindersley. The Ice Wolves have been without Jonathan Jobin as of late in what I am assuming is an injury situation. Brian Kaval and Kyle Jahrahaus have handled the goaltending duties. The Ice Wolves have also welcomed back defenseman Matt Smith from the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Wolves will look to rebound this week as they host Nipawin and have road games in Kindersley and the Battlefords.

10. Notre Dame Hounds (5-14-1-0) LW: 12

What a week for the Hounds as they posted wins over Weyburn, Flin Flon and Nipawin. Rylan Schwartz has been putting up huge numbers while Eddie Gale has quietly jumped into the league's top 10 scoring list. Hounds defenseman Tanner Vandesype leads all SJHL defenseman in scoring. Mark Currie has brought some stability to the Hounds in goal as they said goodbye to Antoine Desrosiers this week. Desrosiers has re-surfaced in Nipawin.

11. Nipawin Hawks (7-7-0-1) LW: 7

The Hawks had a really tough week as they dropped games to Melville, Notre Dame and Flin Flon. Goaltending is all of a sudden as issue in Nipawin as Derek Kleinsteuber struggled in a loss to Melville and Danny Gagne has apparently been sent home. Kleinsteuber, Mason Sawatsky, Jesse McDonald and Antoine Desrosiers all appeared in goal for the Hawks this past week. The Hawks will have to get more steady goaltending or defensive play or this slide could continue. The Hawks will look for redemption this week as they face La Ronge, Melfort and Flin Flon.

12. Battlefords North Stars (2-14-1-1) LW: 12

At this point, one would think that it may already be next year country in Battlefords. An inexperienced team, the Stars have struggled on most nights this season. The Stars only have one player, Barrett Penner, that has hit double digits in point totals. Ryan Kerpan and Adrien Lemay have both had their moments in goal - both good and bad. The Stars try to get back in the win column this week as they have three home games - Melfort, Melville and La Ronge will all visit.

What do you think of the rankings. How would you rank the teams? Please leave your comments.

Until next week.............

- Brad M.