Power Rankings (for the week ended Nov. 11)

Another addition of my weekly power rankings and this week Weyburn and Nipawin see themselves on the rise, while Yorkton and La Ronge are taking steps back.

1. Humboldt Broncos (18-3-0-0) LW: 1

All the Broncos do is continue to win. The Broncos won a pair of divisional games at home over Flin Flon and La Ronge to maintain the top ranking. Laurent Benjamin continues to lead the Broncos in scoring as he had a four point night against La Ronge. Russ Nielsen has been huge on the power play for the Broncos from the blue line. Taylor Nelson continues to make it tough for teams to find a chink in his armor as he leads the SJHL in most goaltending categories. The Broncos will have some tough divisional games on the road this week as they head to Nipawin, Flin Flon and La Ronge.

2. Melville Millionaires (15-5-1-0) LW: 3

Despite only playing once this week, the Millionaires jump up a spot after they defeated Weyburn in overtime on Saturday night. Kale Dolinski has been on fire after missing the early part of the season with an injury. Dolinski has 15 points in 12 games since returning. Kyle Cantlon has had an MVP type season in the Melville goal. The Millionaires will have a challenging week as they host the red hot Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday before a weekend home and home with their rival Yorkton Terriers.

3. Melfort Mustangs (15-7-0-1) LW: 4

The Mustangs continue to win as they went 3-0 this week with wins over La Ronge, Nipawin and Yorkton. Ilia Ejov has brought stability to the Mustangs goaltending situation as he is an unbelievable 9-0-0-1 in ten starts since arriving in the SJHL. What is most impressive of the Mustangs unbeaten streak is they have done a lot of it without the services of defenseman Tommy Brown who has has been competing at the World Junior A Challenge in B.C. The Mustangs venture out on the road this week for mid-week games in Melville and Yorkton.

4. Weyburn Red Wings (13-8-2-2) LW: 8

The Red Wings had a great week as they collected 5 out of a possible 6 points with wins over Battlefords and Kindersley and a hard fought overtime loss to the Melville Millionaires. Also a plus was that the power play has looked much better as of late. Josh Bray had a big week as he had four goals in three games. Bray and Stephen Simms have largely been responsible for the power play turnaround as of late. The Wings have also seen some improved play from defenseman such as Connor Krukowski, Ethan Gardner and Andrew Perrault which has helped in moving the Wings into second place in the Sherwood. Of course, the goaltending of AJ Whiffen has also been integral in the team's recent success. It should be a fun weekend as the Wings will have a home and home with the Estevan Bruins.

5. Kindersley Klippers (13-9-0-2) LW: 5

The Klippers had a good road trip through the Sherwood this week as they won games in Notre Dame and Estevan and were in the game for most of the night in Weyburn despite losing 4-1. Ryan Sawka has soared into the league's top 10 scoring with his fine play of late. Brett Leedahl has also been much improved as of late and is returning to the form he displayed in his rookie season in the SJHL. Scott Linnell continues to be the workhouse on the blue line and is easily one of the league's elite defenseman. Ryan Nieszner continues to be pushed for rookies Matt Weninger and Randy Willis for playing time as all three goalies have played well for Kindersley. This week the Klipper will host Flin Flon on Wednesday before a weekend home and home set with the Battlefords North Stars.

6. Flin Flon Bombers (13-8-0-1) LW: 6

The Bombers also had a good week posting wins over Yorkton and La Ronge and losing a close game to the Humboldt Broncos. Barrett Penner has been scoring at a point per game basis since arriving in Flin Flon as he plays on the second line with Tommy Castonguay and David Linsley. Myles Masse is one of the better offensive defenseman in the league and has put up some numbers for the Bombers. Calvin Bartel has played well since returning from injury as he appears to have reclaimed the starting job away from rookie Carsen Chubak. The Bombers hit the road for games in Battlefords and Kindersley before hosting Humboldt on Friday.

7. Yorkton Terriers (12-9-2-2) LW: 2

I am not sure if there is a team that has had as many rise and falls in the power rankings as the Terriers. The Terriers could only manage 1 out of 6 possible points this week as they had an overtime loss to Melfort while also losing to Flin Flon and Nipawin. The Terriers clearly miss Bryan Hull from the lineup as they have had a hard time scoring goals as of late. Lynden Sammartino has been spectacular at times and ordinary other times. The Terriers need him at 100% every night if they are going to challenge for the Sherwood title this season. The Terriers will have a tough three games in three nights as they host Melfort on Thursday before a home and home with the Millionaires on the weekend.

8. Estevan Bruins (11-10-2-0) LW: 9

The Bruins sent Guillaume Perusse packing this week and the team seemed to rally behind the move on Thursday night as they shutout the Battlefords North Stars 13-0 before falling to Kindersley on Saturday. David Ritz, acquired from Melfort as started the last two games for the Bruins. It is expected Ritz and Karsten Felske will share the goaltending duties the rest of the season. The Bruins best forwards as of late maybe a couple of rookies in Brennan Wrigley and Brody Haygarth. Haygarth already has 10 goals this season which is not bad for a first year player. The Bruins host Notre Dame on Tuesday before a home and home with the Red Wings on the weekend.

9. Nipawin Hawks (9-11-0-1) LW: 11

The Hawks rebounded for a respectable week as they defeated La Ronge and Yorkton and lost a close game to Melfort. Torrie Dyck has been the provider of a lot of the offense for the Hawks. Adam Schwark and Brent Ottmann also are relied upon to put points up. After some struggles, Derek Kleinsteuber seems to have picked up his play as of late. The Hawks host Humboldt on Tuesday and head to La Ronge on Wednesday night.

10. La Ronge Ice Wolves (11-12-1-1)

Inconsistency again plagues the Ice Wolves as they picked up only 1 out of 8 possible points this week. This was all despite the return to the lineup of goaltender Jonathan Jobin. Jarrid Dowhay has been on fire as of late as he is putting up at least 2 points a game on most night. Defenseman Tyler Karst has also added an offensive element to his game as of late. I never count out La Ronge with wily Bob Beatty behind the bench but you never know which Ice Wolves team will show up on any given night. The Wolves host Nipawin and Humboldt this week.

11. Notre Dame Hounds (9-11-0-1) LW: 10

The Hounds fought back to win a close one over the Battlefords before losing to Kindersley. Tanner Vandesype continues to provide offense from the blue line as he leads all SJHL defenseman in scoring. Rookie Travis Janke has also been fun to watch this year. The Hounds have a game in Estevan on Tuesday night and will then get a nice long break in the schedule as they will have 9 days off before returning to action on Nov. 22 against Melville.

12. Battlefords North Stars (2-20-1-1) LW:12

I think the record explains enough. 13-0 loss to Estevan was icing on the cake so to speak for the dismal season in North Battleford. The Stars host Flin Flon on Tuesday and then have a home and home with Kindersley on the weekend.

- Brad M.