Here are the SJHL Source Embroidery Power Rankings for the week ended Oct. 27:
1. Melfort Mustangs (9-3-0-2): Mustangs take over top spot after they manhandle the tough Notre Dame Hounds on Sunday.
2. Battlefords North Stars (8-2-3-0): No team’s fans follow the Power Rankings more than Stars fans, so you can bet they are circling the next date they have against Melfort.
3. Flin Flon Bombers (7-2-2-2): Without a regulation time loss in their last four and showing signs of tightening up the goals-against.
4. Notre Dame Hounds (9-2-1-1): They were bound to give up goals at some point. This was the week.
5. Nipawin Hawks (7-3-1-2): Not going away in the tough Sherwood Division, they are every bit as formidable as Bombers and Mustangs.
6. Kindersley Klippers (9-2-1-2): Only in the SJHL can you drop six spots in a week as Klippers go 1-1-and-1 during three-game swing against struggling Yorkton and offensively challenged Melville.
7. Melville Millionaires (8-5-0-1): People close to the Mils will tell you they are playing extremely well, but happy to be under the radar.
8. Humboldt Broncos (6-6-1-0): A very positive week and if the Broncos and Mils stay consistent, the SJHL could very well be eight-deep as far as serious contenders go.
9. La Ronge Ice Wolves (6-7-1-0): Clearly outside the top eight but a dangerous foe as they can snip you if you are not paying attention.
10. Yorkton Terriers (5-6-1-1): Still early, but Sunday’s win against Kindersley has to be considered a big weight taken off the shoulders of the players.
11. Weyburn Red Wings (4-9-2-0): Closer to .500 since getting off to a brutal start. A very hard-working team as evidenced by the comeback that fell short in La Ronge on Wednesday.
12. Estevan Bruins (4-8-0-3): Once the goal crease is settled, they should be okay. A veteran presence would be nice.
Who’s hot?
Joe O’Brien, Nipawin (4-1-0-1, 1.47, .955): While the Hawks are scoring at a good clip, it’s O’Brien who has been the consistent pillar of strength and last line of defence.
Trevor Martin, Melville (2-1, 0.68, 1SO, .978): Hard to believe the 18-year-old has been passed over by WHL clubs. He may be the SJHL’s best at the moment.
Travis Mayan, Melfort (8-5-10-15): He’s capable of keeping up close to this pace all season long, which speaks loudly considering how defensive the league has become.
Owen LaClare, Kindersley (10-8-2-10): One of the SJHL’s best pure goal scorers is scoring at will.
Connor Kortko, La Ronge (7-6-3-9): If the puck is on his stick in a good shooting lane, it’s finding the back of the net.
Braden Mellon, Weyburn (8-2-6-8): Could Mellon be emerging as the top forward for the Red Wings?
Kyle Campbell, La Ronge (7-2-5-7): Shift disturber starting to contribute on score sheet, too.
Daylan Gatzke, Yorkton (4-3-4-7): Power forward is a clear-cut number one liner in his final junior season.
