Source Embroidery SJHL Power Rankings for the week ended Feb. 2:
1. Kindersley Klippers (33-9-3-2): Countdown is on for the Kramer Division title, something that slipped away from them a year ago. Clearly, a team looking like they’ve got unfinished business.
2. Melfort Mustangs (32-7-3-4): A small blip in the last week or so, also a matter of time before they narrow down the Sherwood Division crown.
3. Nipawin Hawks (28-12-2-3): Doug Johnson coached teams are always a factor and he’s proven his roster moves, while surprising at times, are what’s best for the organization. Could he get his due with a Coach of the Year award?
4. Notre Dame Hounds (28-13-1-3): How about rookie bench boss Clint Mylymok for Coach of the Year? He’s found a way to channel the aggressiveness from last year into a style that is also one that likes to move the puck.
5. Flin Flon Bombers (24-9-6-6): Talent, skill, and depth everywhere. Incredibly fun to watch. Also, incredibly frustrating. They are giving up too many goals to win it all. If that problem can be solved, look out.
6. Melville Millionaires (22-20-2-2): Not the same team that couldn’t score for most of the season. It’s still a challenge, but they’ve shown they can get key goals now. With Martin between the pipes, they could emerge as a sleeper.
7. Battlefords North Stars: (23-16-6-1): Like the Bombers, they have a goals against problem. Unlike the Bombers, they aren’t equipped to get around it very often.
8. Estevan Bruins (18-21-1-6): Anyone considering Tyler Fuhr for MVP? He went 7-2-and-1 in January and is five games over .500 on a team that is three under that mark.
9. Humboldt Broncos (18-21-5-0): If you were doubting their playoff chances, you have to feel better about them after they crushed Battlefords and Yorkton last week. They are unbeaten in four and look like a team hungry to prove something.
10. Weyburn Red Wings: (18-20-6-2): Just when they win you over as a believer, they lose a big one in Melville and are staring at a rivalry Survivor Series with Estevan, a team that has had their number all season.
11. La Ronge Ice Wolves (15-23-3-4): Showing a lot of fight in their games, but only two wins to show for it in their last 10. They are four points out of a playoff spot and their biggest problem might be how well Estevan and Humboldt are playing.
12. Yorkton Terriers (14-25-3-3): One win in their last 10. They don’t score much. They give up lots. Saturday’s no-show against Humboldt could be the final nail on a disappointing defense of their national crown.
Who’s hot?
Brett Boehm, Flin Flon (12-8-11-19): Hasn’t skipped a beat coming back from NCAA and keeps getting better.
Chris Rauckman, Flin Flon (12-10-6-16): Instant chemistry with Boehm and with two lethal goal scorers on same line, it’s scary for opposing teams.
Brandon Switzer, Flin Flon (6-4-6-10): Secondary scoring like this?
Tyler Bell, Flin Flon (9-5-5-10): Has stepped up since the Lishchynsky call-up.
Lynnden Pastachak, Estevan (3-3-5-8): Showing the elite form that should make him a key part of next year’s Western Canada Cup hosting team.
Keegan Allison, Estevan (5-4-5-9): He figures to be Pastachak’s running mate for another year yet.
Keaton Longpre, Estevan (4-2-4-6): The shoe fits, an unheralded and unlikely offensive contributor to the top line.
Kris Spriggs, Nipawin (8-6-9-15): Always seems to have plenty of chances. Getting rewarded again.
Marc Dubeau, Kindersley (20-9-15-24): Another week, another couple of games, another couple of points.
Travis Mayan, Melfort (19-13-19-32): He’s been the SJHL’s best performer for about two months.
Zach DeGraves, Melfort (5-1, 1.28, .945, 3SO): When he plays, he impresses big time.
Richard Palmer, Melfort (2-2, 1.26, .948, 1SO): This is why DeGraves doesn’t play more.
Jack Romanuik, Humboldt (2-2, 1.70, .933, 1SO): Broncos needed him to step up after Hamm was summoned to the WHL and Romanuik has answered the bell.
Mike Stackhouse, SJHL
