The Source Embroidery SJHL Power Rankings for the week ended Tuesday, Jan. 19 (with each team’s ranking from the previous week in brackets):
1. Flin Flon Bombers (1): Some scoffing last week from a few fans, but the Bombers answered the challenge well and are 12-and-1 in their last 13.
2. Battlefords North Stars (2): New netminder Tyler Fuhr wins both starts and looks impressive as Stars add veteran presence to their net.
3. Weyburn Red Wings (4): The only team in the SJHL that has yet to reach double-digit regulation time losses.
4. Melfort Mustangs (3): Narrowly defeated Yorkton, then lost three in a row. It may be time to have some concern about this club. This is their lowest ranking in over a year.
5. Nipawin Hawks (5): They’ve won eight of their last ten and, along with Flin Flon, can make the race for first in the Sherwood very close if they win their games in hand
6. Estevan Bruins (6): Shootout loss to Kindersley on the weekend stings a bit, but they are 7-1-and-2 in their last 10 and are starting to take on the appearance of a bonafide challenger.
7. Notre Dame Hounds (8): Thibaudeau has been great since the break and Conor MacLean has emerged on offense.
8. Kindersley Klippers (9): After sputtering a bit, they had a successful three game road trip and an undefeated week (2-0-1-1).
9. La Ronge Ice Wolves (7): Getting left behind in the ultra competitive Sherwood Division. They’ll need another winning streak.
10. Humboldt Broncos (10): Their win over Yorkton on the weekend is what puts them ahead of the Terriers.
11. Yorkton Terriers (11): Despite the record, they have some nights where they can be very fun to watch. It’s finding the consistency.
12. Melville Millionaires (12): Two wins in a row for the, suddenly, rebuilding and young Millionaires.
Who’s hot: Brandon Switzer and Alex Smith, Flin Flon: As hot as these players have been, Bombers played well and won on the weekend with minimal contribution from the big line.
Coby Downs, Battlefords: Back-to-back rookie of the week awards for Downs.
Logan Schatz, Humboldt: Four-game point scoring streak.
Kailum Gervais, Yorkton: Looks healthy and has always been a big second-half player.
Tyler Fuhr, Battlefords: Three of these last five came with Estevan; but it doesn’t matter for Fuhr since the calendar turned to 2016.
Alexi Thibaudeau, Notre Dame: Playing his best hockey of the season.
Brenden Newton, Flin Flon: Not easy carving out playing time on a hot team, but Newton running a temperature as high as anyone else.
