Busy Wednesday Night in the SJHL!

It was a busy schedule tonight across the league as only the Weyburn Red Wings and Battlefords North Stars had the night off.

In Humboldt, Taylor Nelson has joined AJ Whiffen of the Weyburn Red Wings with his sixth shutout of the season, tying a SJHL single season record, as the Broncos downed the Melfort Mustangs 2-0. It was a tight game which saw the Broncos finally get the first goal at 1:33 of the third period with Steven Schroeder getting the goal from Matt Rintoul. The Broncos would add an empty netter from Laurent Benjamin with 12 seconds remaining assisted by Tanner Vandesype to seal the win. Nelson had 28 saves in his record tying effort. Ilia Ejov stopped 20 shots in the Melfort goal. Despite the close score, the game was fight filled and included a multi-fight situation that could lead to suspensions and or fines to the Broncos and Mustangs. The Broncos only need three more points to clinch first place in the Itech and four points to clinch first overall in the SJHL for regular season standings.

The Kindersley Klippers have moved back within five points of Sherwood Conference leading Weyburn after a come from behind overtime victory over the visiting Nipawin Hawks. Brett Leedahl scored twice for the Klippers, including the overtime winner. Justin Wilkinson also scored for the Klippers. Jordan Braid, Kirk Pearce, Ryan Sawka, Milo Miller, and Jonathan Redlick all added assists. Steve Mason scored both Nipawin goals as he now has four goals in his last two games. Taylor Thiessen, Blair Toms, Brent Ottmann and Torrie Dyck added assists for the Hawks. Rookie Matt Weninger who has been outplaying veteran Ryan Nieszner picked up the win for the Klippers as he made 30 saves. Derek Kleinsteuber stopped 27 of 30 shots faced in the Nipawin goal. The Hawks are firmly entrenched in fifth in the Itech and have clinched a playoff berth as they can no longer be caught by the Battlefords North Stars for the final spot.

In Yorkton, it was a potential survivor series matchup preview as the Estevan Bruins came away with a 3-2 shootout victory over the host Terriers. Niko Grose had the shootout winner for the Bruins and added an assist. Brennan Wrigley and Nick Colliton scored in regulation for the Bruins who also got assists from Payden Benning and Colton MacPherson. Derek Derkach and Derek Serdachny replied for the Terriers while Jordan Menke, Ken Petkau and Kirk Bycynski added assists. Karsten Felske made 30 saves for the win while Lynden Sammartino made 34 saves in the Terriers goal. The Bruins have opened up a six point lead on the fifth place Terriers and still are looking to break into the top three in the division. The Bruins are only four points back of third place Melville but the Millionaires do have two games in hand.

The Millionaires were hosting the cellar dwellar Notre Dame Hounds and scored early and often as they pounded the Hounds 9-2. Dion Campbell led the way for the Mils with three goals and an assist. Daniel Hope also added four points as he had a goal and three assists. Chris Shudo had a goal and two assists for the Millionaires. Levi Lind added three assists. Scott Hennings and Kale Dolinski each scored twice for Melville. Rylan Schwartz and Chris Bratina scored for the Hounds. Travis Bosch had the win as he made 33 saves. Mark Currie got the start for the Hounds stopping 22 of 27 shots in 37:00 before making way for Andre-Michel Guay who stopped 22 of 26 shots in the final 23 minutes of play. The Millionaires outshot the Hounds 53-35. The Hounds are 14 points out of the final playoff spot in the Sherwood with only 18 possible points left for them to obtain.

Finally it was a battle up north in Flin Flon tonight in what was a very important game for the Bombers as they hosted their number one rival - the La Ronge Ice Wolves. It appears the Ice Wolves want to finish in the top three in the Itech as they scored twice late in the third to get by the Bombers 3-2. With the win, the Ice Wolves have opened up a seven point lead over fourth place Flin Flon. Bruno - Pier Gosselin, Jarrid Dowhay and Brad Harding scored for La Ronge. Adam Moar and Jordie Johnston each had two assists for the Ice Wolves. Harley Garrioch and Dustyn Clegg scored for the Bombers. Cole Wilson, Dominic Martel, Dennis Kubat and David Linsley added assists. Jonathan Jobin made 33 saves for the win. Calvin Bartel only managed to stop 15 of 18 shots as he suffered the loss.

Tonight's Three Stars:

* Taylor Nelson - Humboldt Broncos (28 save performance but more importantly ties SJHL single season shutout record with his sixth shutout of the season which ties current Red Wing AJ Whiffen, former Red Wing Terry Denike and a number of others.
** Dion Campbell - Melville Millionaires (3 goals and an assist in big win over Notre Dame)
*** Brett Leedahl - Kindersley Klippers (2 goals including OT winner in win over Nipawin)

- Brad M.