With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the final Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League power rankings are in. While the top spot is already decided, the race for the rest remains wide open.
The Flin Flon Bombers have officially clinched first place in the league and look every bit like the team to beat heading into the playoffs. Behind them, several contenders are jockeying for position while a tense battle continues around the final postseason spot.
Here’s how the final SJHL power rankings of the season shake out.
1. Flin Flon Bombers
The Bombers have taken control of the league and haven’t looked back. Flin Flon has clinched first place overall and continues to roll with seven wins in their last ten games while remaining unbeaten in their last four. At this point, the focus shifts from standings to preparing for a deep playoff run.
2. Battlefords North Stars
The Battlefords North Stars remain near the top but have cooled off slightly. They are winless in their last two games and sit at 5-4-1 over their last ten. Battlefords is currently tied for second place with Yorkton, making every remaining game important for playoff positioning.
3. Melfort Mustangs
If there’s a team peaking at the right time, it’s the Melfort Mustangs. Melfort has won nine of its last ten games and enters the playoffs as arguably the hottest team in the league. Despite the surge, they remain in the third spot in this week’s rankings.
4. Yorkton Terriers
The Yorkton Terriers looked unstoppable not long ago with a five-game winning streak, but the momentum has stalled with three straight losses. Yorkton is still tied for second place in the standings, but drops two spots in the rankings this week as they try to regain their rhythm down the stretch.
5. Weyburn Red Wings
The Weyburn Red Wings are trending upward. Weyburn has won three straight games and seven of their last ten, moving up a spot in the rankings. The Red Wings currently sit fourth overall in the standings and appear to be building momentum at the perfect time.
6. Nipawin Hawks
Consistency continues to be the story for the Nipawin Hawks, or the lack of it. Nipawin’s win-one, lose-one pattern has continued as they sit 5-5 in their last ten games and are coming off a loss in their most recent outing. They slide down one spot this week.
7. Melville Millionaires
The Melville Millionaires have secured their playoff spot after picking up 11 points over their last ten games. It hasn’t always been flashy, but it has been effective enough to clinch postseason hockey while holding steady at number seven in the rankings.
8. Estevan Bruins
The Estevan Bruins remain in the thick of the playoff race. They’ve gone 4-4-2 in their last ten games and continue to hold eighth place in the standings and the power rankings. With Humboldt and Kindersley close behind, the Bruins will need every point they can get.
9. Humboldt Broncos
The young Humboldt Broncos are still just two points out of a playoff spot, but their recent play hasn’t helped their cause. Humboldt is 2-6-2 in their last ten games and hasn’t been able to generate the late-season push they need to climb into the postseason picture.
10. Kindersley Klippers
The Kindersley Klippers may be showing signs of life after a slow stretch. Kindersley has won their last two games, though they still have just three victories in their last ten overall. They enter the weekend two points behind Estevan and remain firmly in the playoff chase.
11. Warman Wolverines
For the relocated Warman Wolverines, the focus is on finishing strong in their first SJHL season. A three-game losing streak has slowed the young squad, but the experience gained this year could pay dividends down the road.
12. La Ronge Ice Wolves
It has been a difficult season for the La Ronge Ice Wolves, who have just ten wins in 54 games. There have been a couple of bright spots lately, with two of those victories coming in their last ten games, as they look to close the year on a positive note.
With the Bombers firmly on top and several teams fighting for positioning and survival, the final stretch of the SJHL season should bring plenty of drama before the playoffs begin.
