Power Rankings (for the week ended Nov. 25)

Another week of action in the SJHL saw the top two teams for most of this season both take a bit of a drop as they struggled a bit this week and the parity in the league really shone through this week.

1. Melfort Mustangs (20-7-0-1) LW: 1

The Mustangs continue to find ways to win as they went a perfect 3-0 this week with wins over Humboldt, Weyburn and Estevan. Ilia Ejov continues to be unbeatable as he still hold a big goose egg in the loss column which is phenomenal. Matt Hill has been Mr. Set up man as of late for the Mustangs. Kyle Fraser has started to chip in more offensively as of late which helps with the loss of Clint Olson due to injury. The Mustangs defense continues to provide a huge amount of the offense as Brady Gordon, Tommy Brown and Riley Clark, just to name a few, are all capable of chipping in offensively at any time. It will be a busy week for the Mustangs as they host Notre Dame on Wednesday before embarking on a three game road trip that takes them too Weyburn, Estevan and Notre Dame.

2. Weyburn Red Wings (16-8-2-4)) LW: 2

The Red Wings managed to win a road game in Nipawin before dropping shootouts in Melfort and Melville. The Red Wings were forced to use some call ups in all three games played this week due to injuries and illness. More defensive depth is on the way as Adam Feniak and Shawn Courtney have been dealt to Weyburn. AJ Whiffen and Tanner Erickson have provided solid goaltending. The Wings host Nipawin on Tuesday and Melfort on Friday as they try for the perfect week at home.

3. Humboldt Broncos (19-6-0-1) LW: 4

The Broncos picked up three of four possible points this week as they had a shootout loss versus Melfort before winning big over Kindersley. Defensmean Russ Nielsen has been putting up big offensive numbers as of late while forwards such as Brayden Klimosko and Laurent Benjamin have been putting up points. Taylor Nelson is maybe going through his first real adversity since coming into the SJHL and has shared some of the workload as of late with rookie Andrew Bodnarchuk. That being said, Nelson is still amongst the league leaders in all goaltending categories. The Broncos host Melville on Tuesday and Notre Dame on Thursday before road games in Kindersley and North Battleford on the weekend. It will be a good opportunity this week for the Broncos to gain some ground on the Melfort Mustangs.

4. Melville Millionaires (17-8-2-0) LW: 3

The Millionaires had a so-so week. They managed to defeat Weyburn in a shootout while losing to Estevan and Notre Dame (in overtime). Inconsistent play as of late as saw the Mils slide down the rankings a bit. Travis Bosch has been taking some play away from Kyle Cantlon in goal as of late. Levi Lind has been putting up a point per game since arriving in Melville from the Regina Pats. Adam Tuffs is rumored to have left the team. Derek Edwards has been playing well as of late for the Millionaires after a bit of a slow start offensively. The Mils have a good opportunity to move up the rankings this week as they travel to Humboldt on Tuesday night.before embarking on a road trip to Flin Flon and La Ronge on the weekend.

5. Kindersley Klippers (17-11-0-2) LW: 6

The Klippers posted a pair of shtout wins over the visiting Yorkton Terriers last week but were beaten soundly by Humboldt on Friday night. Rookie goaltender Matt Weninger received goaltender of the week honors as he had both shutout wins over the Terriers and has now went over 195 minutes without allowing a goal. Weninger did not start in the Humboldt game last week and his next chance to extend the streak will be on Saturday when the Klippers host the Broncos. It is not known at this time whether Weninger or Ryan Nieszner will start that game. THat is the only game the Klippers will play this week.

6. Flin Flon Bombers (16-10-0-1) LW: 5

The Bombers won over Nipawin but lost to La Ronge this past week. The only reason I kept the Bombers ahead of the Ice Wolves at this time was the fact that La Ronge had a bit of an easier schedule last week. The Bombers will play three time this week as they host the North Stars and Millionaires before travelling to La Ronge on Sunday.

7. La Ronge Ice Wolves (13-12-1-1) LW: 7

The Ice Wolves were 3-0 this week and moved into third place periodically as they posted wins over Flin Flon, Battlefords and Notre Dame. Jordie Johnston continues to embarrass visiting goaltenders with his fine play and at his current pace could find himself leading the league in scoring before long. The Ice Wolves have also got big numbers from his linemate Jarrid Dowhay, a former Prince Albert Raider.

8. Estevan Bruins (14-13-2-0)) LW: 10

The Bruins are being rewarded with a rise in the rankings after posting wins over Melville and Nipawin. The Bruins could not find a way to defeat Melfort however, as has been the problem for most teams as of late. The Bruins continue to be led offensively by the likes of Payden Benning and Kyle Stroh while younger players such as Brodey Haygarth, Brennan Wrigley and Liam Brennan have all contributed. Karsten Felske appears to be the number one goaltender but David Ritz has also got his share of starts. The Bruins host Nipawin and Melfort this week with a road game in Yorkton sandwiched between those games.

9. Nipawin Hawks (10-12-1-3) LW: 9

The Hawks battled hard this week and lost in regulation to Estevan, overtime to Flin Flon and in a shootout to Weyburn. The Hawks welcomed Colton McDonald and Matt Schneider this past week while saying goodbye to verteran Adam Schwark. Blair Toms has improved the offensive part of his game as of late from the back end. Taylor Thiessen has also played well for the Hawks on defense. Torrie Dyck and Brent Ottmann are relied on to provide the offense for the Hawks. Youngsters such as Cody Wutzke, Jordan Bourgonje and Steve Mason have also contributed. The Hawks have a tough road trip to the Sherwood this week with games in Weyburn, Estevan and Notre Dame.

10. Yorkton Terriers (14-12-2-3) LW: 8

A lack of offense has cost the Terriers a couple of spots in the rankings. The Terriers were shutout twice by Kindersley but did salvage a shootout win over the North Stars on a road trip last week. Lynden Sammartino and Joel Danyluk have done all they can as of late for the Terriers but without Bryan Hull and Carter Smith the offense seems to have hit rock bottom. The Terriers look to snap out of the recent funk with a home game versus Estevan on Friday night.

11. Notre Dame Hounds (8-18-1-0) LW: 11

The Hound won an overtime battle over Melville but were then thumped by La Ronge on Friday in Gull Lake. Notre Dame has a busy week ahead as they play four games in five nights. They will head to Melfort and Humboldt before facing off against Nipawin in Hudson Bay and then back home against Melfort again on Sunday.

12. Battlefords North Stars (3-23-1-2) LW: 12

The Stars did manage one point this past week in a shootout loss to the Yorkton Terriers. Ryan Kerpan and Adrien Lemay can hardly be blamed for the Stars woes as of late as both goaltenders have picked up their play as of late. Shawn McNulty has picked up his game as of late as well. This week the Stars travel to Flin Flon and La Ronge before hosting Humboldt on Sunday.

Sorry I am late this week - but as they say - better late than never (Ha Ha). Reminder again that I will be taking a week off from power rankings but they will return for the week ending December 9/07.

- Brad M.
- Brad M.