Three of the five games in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League tonight feature teams that are going head to head on the ice as well as in the standings.
In Kindersley, the Klippers, second in the Sherwood, will host the Yorkton Terriers, first in the Sherwood. Yorkton has a six point lead on Kindersley and both teams have four games to play. A win by the Klippers this evening closes the gap to four points and Yorkton would finish at Humboldt, at Estevan, and home to La Ronge. It's hardly a walk in the park. Kindersley finishes home to a Melfort team that has nothing left to play for and then a home and home set with Battlefords.
Estevan is at Weyburn tonight and the Red Wings lead the Bruins by three points in the race for third in the Sherwood. It's an important position as third place earns a first round bye. Weyburn scored four in the third last night to defeat the Bruins. Estevan has a game in hand, so a win tonight could put them in the driver's seat despite being a point back. The Bruins close out the season with three home games (Yorkton, Notre Dame, Melville). The Wings are home to Melville and home to Notre Dame to finish the regular schedule.
In Flin Flon, the Bombers will be looking to sweep their weekend set with Battlefords. This is also going to be a Bauer Conference Survivor Series playoff preview. Flin Flon has the upper hand for home ice advantage as they lead by a single point; but the Stars have a game in hand. The two teams meet one more time in North Battleford and the Bombers also do a home and home with Nipawin to end the year. The Hawks have the worst record in the SJHL and are already eliminated, so Flin Flon is in control here. The Stars have a home and home against Kindersley. The Klippers may or may not have a vested interest depending on their outcome tonight versus Yorkton.
Notre Dame plays at Melfort tonight and Melville is home to Nipawin. The Mils lead the Hounds by two points for the final playoff berth in the Sherwood. They also have a game in hand. Melville will play five games in eight days starting on Monday. The first three are on the road (Notre Dame, Humboldt, Weyburn). They are home to La Ronge and end the year on the road against Estevan. It's a brutal schedule, so winning tonight against the Hawks as well as on Valentine's Day against the Hounds will be crucial. The Hounds are also at Weyburn and Estevan and home to Humboldt.
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