Weekly Power Rankings!

It is time again for my weekly power rankings. I apologize for the lack of coverage this weekend but I did not have access to a computer for most of the weekend so everything should be back to normal this week.

This week, The Estevan Bruins are on the slide while the Kindersley Klippers and La Ronge Ice Wolves are going in the right direction.

1. Humboldt Broncos (16-3-0-0) LW: 1

The Broncos won both of their games this week, a 6-0 shallacking of the Estevan Bruins and a 4-3 win over Weyburn in a game which saw them short-handed for most of the third period. Taylor Nelson and Andrew Bodnarchuk each got a start on the weekend and both played well. I saw Humboldt play for the first time this season and it is easy to see why they have the record they do. Good team speed, puck possession, solid defense and good goaltending are all ingredients for a championship club. This week the Broncos play a couple of home games as they host Flin Flon on Tuesday and La Ronge on Sunday.

2. Yorkton Terriers (12-7-1-2) LW:2

The Terriers are one of the hottest teams in the SJHL right now. The Terriers are now only two points out of first in the Sherwood, granted Melville does have two games in hand. Lynden Sammartino has been next to unbeatable as of late and is playing his best hockey of the season to date. The Terriers won a pair of divisional games this week over Estevan and Weyburn to move into sole possession of second in the Sherwood. Yorkton heads out on a northern road trip on the November long weekend as they will play in Flin Flon, Melfort and Nipawin.

3. Melville Millionaires (14-5-1-0) LW: 3

The Millionaires are in a bit of a mini-slump at the moment. They did manage a win over the league cellar dwellars from the Battlefords but were shutout by the Notre Dame Hounds and defeated rather convincingly by Kindersley. Kyle Cantlon has been a workhorse since returning from illness as he has started every game for the Mils since that time. Dion Campbell continues to pad his offensive stats and Derek Edwards has been stellar on the Millionaires blue line. It is a fairly light week of Melville as their only game is a Saturday night home contest versus Weyburn.

4. Melfort Mustangs (12-7-0-1) LW: 4

The Mustangs are similar to the Terriers in the sense they have been hot as a firecracker as of late. Taylor Watt averages well over two points a game and linemates Clint Olson and Matt Hill are also putting up huge numbers. Brady Gordon was recently named the SJHL defenseman of the month for October. Gordon leads all SJHL defenseman in points. Ilia Ejob and Jesse Trach have provided solid goaltending as of late. I think if the Mustangs can keep Watt healthy and add a couple more depth players, they have a good shot as a contender this year. Ejov's addition was paramount in the Mustangs turnaround. The Mustangs play three home games this week as they welcome La Ronge, Nipawin and Yorkton.

5. Kindersley Klippers (11-8-0-2) LW: 8

The Klippers have been hot as of late as they went 2-0-0-1 this past week and have crept back into the middle of the pack in the Sherwood conference. The Klippers were able to dispose of two good teams this week in Melfort and Melville while losing in a shootout to La Ronge. Ryan Sawka has been putting up a lot of points as of late while Brett Leedahl and Jonathan Redlick continue to contribute offensively. Rookie defenseman Justin Perreaux has been a great addition to the Klippers defense. The Klippers play a key three games in three night this week as they hit the road to battle division rivals Notre Dame, Weyburn and Estevan.

6. Flin Flon Bombers (11-7-0-1) LW: 6

The Bombers had a light week as there only game was a 4-1 home victory over the Nipawin Hawks. The Bombers were busy this past week though as they acquired Barrett Penner and Scott Day from the Battlefords North Stars in separate deals. The Bombers appear to be sending a message that they tend to be amongst the contenders this season. Calvin Bartel is back in the lineup and is splitting his playing time with Carsen Chubak. The Bombers will be tested this week as they have road games in Humboldt and La Ronge while hosting Yorkton on Friday.

7. La Ronge Ice Wolves (11-9-1-0) LW: 9

The Ice Wolves had a perfect 3-0 week and could have maybe jumped higher in the rankings. However the inconsistency of La Ronge has convinced me to keep them a bit lower in the rankings for now. Jordie Johnston and Jarrid Dowhay really found their games during the three game winning streak this week and are starting to produce as was expected from them. Brian Kaval continues to handle the goaltending duties while Jonathan Jobin is out of the lineup. The Ice Wolves have a busy week as they play 4 times. Road games in Nipawin and Melfort, a home game versus Flin Flon and a road game in Humboldt are on the agenda for La Ronge this week.

8. Weyburn Red Wings (11-8-1-2) LW: 7

The Red Wings drop a spot this week. A lot of this can be attributed to the power play woes, particularly against Humboldt. Preston Shupe continues to play well for the Wings. Rookie Rhett Bly had a great week as he even had a three point night against Humboldt. SJHL goaltender of the month AJ Whiffen has continually provided solid goaltending. The Wings played the last couple of games without Josh Bray in the lineup. Bray is nursing an injury but hopes to return Tuesday night. Speaking of Tuesday, the Wings will host the Battlefords Stars that night. Meanwhile, Kindersley will be in town on Friday and the Wings will hit the road to Melville on Saturday night.

9. Estevan Bruins (10-9-2-0) LW: 5

The Bruins have been struggling lately as they were embarrassed by both Yorkton and Humboldt this week. Guillaume Perusse and Karsten Felske have struggled lately which is uncharacteristic of both goaltenders. The Bruins are also having trouble scoring goals lately. Part of the reason may be that Payden Benning has missed the last four games due to injury. They will look to rebound this week as they host Battlefords and Kindersley.

10. Notre Dame Hounds (6-15-0-1) LW: 10

The Hounds split a pair of games this week as they lost in Weyburn but followed that up with a 3-0 shutout win over Melville. Mark Currie has been playing great for the Hounds. Rylan Schwartz, after a bit of a slow start, has quietly moved up amongst the SJHL scoring leaders. Tanner Vandesype has also picked up his offensive totals lately from the back end. The Hounds will host both Battlefords and Kindersley this week.

11. Nipawin Hawks (7-10-0-1) LW: 11

The Hawks continue to struggle and there are starting to be a lot of frustrated fans up in Nipawin. Torrie Dyck, Adam Schwark and Brent Ottmann have all saw their offensive numbers stall as of late. Head coach Dave Hyrsky has even moved Ottmann to defense for a few games. Regean Carriere, one of the Hawks leading scorers from a year ago, requested a trade closer to home and was recently dealt to the Winnipeg Saints of the MJHL. Derek Kleinsteuber, like many of his teammates, has had a tough go as of late and his goaltending numbers are on the decline. Antoine Desrosiers has also been brought in to help solidify the goaltending position. Desrosiers was brought in after being let go my the Notre Dame Hounds. The Hawks host the Ice Wolves and Terriers this week and hit the road to Melfort for a game.

12. Battlefords North Stars (2-17-1-1) LW: 12

The Stars went 0 for 3 this week as they lost games to Melfort, Melville and La Ronge. The Stars have become even younger as of late as they have dealt veterans Barrett Penner, Scott Day, Cory Demko and Trent Lizee in separate deals. The Stars have welcomed Joel Budd to the lineup as well as Shawn McNulty and Kirk Moore who were acquired from Flin Flon. Ryan Kerpan had a good start versus La Ronge on Saturday night and the Stars will need to continue to get strong goaltending from both he and Adrien Lemay if they hope to find a way to win again. The Stars embark on a three game soutern road trip on Tuesday as they will play in Weyburn, Notre Dame and Estevan.

Do you agree with my rankings? Leave a comment and let me know.

- Brad M.