Wings Take Drop in Power Rankings!

It is time again for my weekly power rankings and this week there is not a lot of change at the top but you will see some changes from spot 4 through 10 in the weekly rankings. These rankings are for the week of October 1 - 7.

1. Melville Millionaires

(8-1-0-0) Last Week: 1

Although the Millionaires did suffer there first loss of the season on Friday night, the fact is they followed up a poor effort with a superb effort the very next night and in my opinion are still the top team at this point. Kyle Cantlon continues to be strong between the pipes and the Mils continue to get solid secondary scoring (like Michael Jordan scoring two goals on Saturday night). Melville has three games this week as they play a home and home set with the Notre Dame Hounds and then host Melfort on Saturday night. I would not be surprised to see Melville at 11-1 at the end of this week.

2. Humboldt Broncos

(8-2-0-0) Last Week: 2

The Broncos won a pair of home games this week over La Ronge and Weyburn to continue their strong play. Jordan Schindel continues to be the offensive leader for the Broncos. Taylor Nelson has good numbers in goal and is allowed to stay fresh as he does not see a lot of shots in any given night. This will be a light week for the Broncos as they play only once - a home game versus Yorkton.

3. Nipawin Hawks

(6-3-0-1) Last Week: 3

The Hawks split a home and home with the rival Melfort Mustangs. The Hawks did pick up 3 of 4 possible points in the two games. Brent Ottmann and Adam Schwark continue to put up good offensive numbers. The Hawks also added some defensive depth last week with the addition of Riel Thomson. Derek Kleinsteuber has been playing every night in goal while Danny Gagne serves a five game suspension. The Hawks have home game against Battlefords and Kindersley this week.

4. Flin Flon Bombers

(5-3-0-1) Last Week: 6

The Bombers continue to chalk up the wins as they posted victories over Yorkton and Battlefords this week. Pierre-Luc Boucher, Reid MacLeod and Dennis Kubat are scoring at will. Rookie defenseman Michael Young has also been a good addition to the Bombers defense as he is putting up a point per game type numbers. Carsen Chubak is getting the workload in goal as Calvin Bartel is currently out with an injury. The Bombers have a busy week as they travel to Melfort before hosting Kindersley twice on the weekend.

5. Melfort Mustangs

(5-4-0-0) Last Week: 5

The Mustangs split a tough home and home with Nipawin over the weekend. A surprising return to the lineup by high scoring Taylor Watt will be a huge boost to a team that was having trouble prior putting the puck in the net. Watt was originally expected to be out until at least Christmas with a concussion. Tommy Brown and Brady Morgan have added a lot of offense from the back end for Melfort. The Mustangs will have to get more consistent goaltending from David Ritz if they are to be contenders and not pretenders this year. The Mustangs have four games this week and are the busiest team. They host Flin Flon on Wednesday before heading south for three games in Yorkton, Melville and Notre Dame.

6. Kindersley Klippers

(5-3-0-0) Last Week: 9

The Klippers only played once this week but it was a big win over division rival Weyburn. The Klippers have been winning despite injuries to key players such as Ryan Sawka and Scott Linnell. The Klippers will show if they are for real or not this weekend as they go on a tough road trip that sees them play twice in Flin Flon before stopping in Nipawin on the way home.

7. Estevan Bruins

(6-4-0-0) Last Week: 7

It was a light week for the Bruins as they only played once versus Notre Dame but did win rather convinvingly, 9-3. Kyle Stroh and Payden Benning continue to be off to good starts for the Bruins and Kealin Wong as been a workhouse on defense. Karsten Felske and Guillaume Perusse give the Bruins arguably the best goaltending tandem in the SJHL. The Bruins play in Notre Dame on Monday night and then have a home and home with the Red Wings on the weekend.

8. Weyburn Red Wings

(6-5-0-1) Last Week: 4

The Wings had a tough week as they could only manage one win in four tries. Perhaps the most disappointing loss though and the reason for the big drop, was the third period collapse against Notre Dame last Tuesday. Josh Bray, Torrey Lindsay and Preston Shupe all had good weeks offensively while Stephen Simms has been adding points from the back end. Kyle McConnell went 0-3 this week but don't let that fool you, he was far from the reason the Wings lost those three games. It was also encouraging to see a bounce back game from AJ Whiffen as he made 38 saves in a win over the Battlefords. Big weekend coming up as it will be the first home and home with the highway 39 rivals from Estevan.

9. Yorkton Terriers

(3-4-1-2) Last Week: 8

The Terriers had a mixed bag of results this week as they were the first team this year to beat Melville, but also had losses against the Bombers and Mils this week. Lynden Sammartino picked up his eighth career SJHL shutout to tie a league record which is shared by many, including ex-Red Wing Terry Denike. Carter Smith and Jock Sutter were welcomed back from their respective WHL teams this week and add some quality depth to the Terriers lineup. The Hounds have a tough week with road game in La Ronge and Humboldt before returning home to face Melfort on the weekend.

10. La Ronge Ice Wolves

(4-5-1-0) Last Week: 10

The Ice Wolves lost a game in Humboldt but were victorious in Notre Dame. The MVP at this point in La Ronge, is no doubt Jonathan Jobin. Jobin has been outstanding whether in win or loss situations. If Jordie Johnston and Jarrid Dowhay, amongst others, can continue to provide offense, Jobin might be able to carry this team a ways. The Ice Wolves host the Stars and Terriers this week.

11. Battlefords North Stars

(2-8-1-0) Last Week: 11

The Stars had another tough week with losses to Flin Flon and Weyburn. The Stars seem to be able to play with a team for forty minutes before collapsing in the third period. Neither Ryan Kerpan or Adrien Lemay has solidified there spot as a starting goaltender yet. The Stars play in Nipawin and La Ronge this coming weekend.

12. Notre Dame Hounds

(2-10-0-0) Last Week: 12

The Hounds did manage to win only their second game of the season this week but followed that up with huge losses to La Ronge and Estevan. One positive for the Hounds is that Rylan Schwartz has found his goal scoring touch and had player of the week type numbers. Veteran Eddie Gale and Steven Robinson have also chipped in offensively lately. Goaltending is still the big issue in Notre Dame as Guay and Desrosiers have had a tough time in the Hounds net.

I am sure some of you will think I was too harsh on the Wings this week. Let me know what you think.

- Brad M.