Jason La Rose
The Nipawin Hawks did it again, and they did it with defence. The Hawks made it back-to-back regular-season titles in the SJHL with a dominating defensive performance, allowing just 118 goals in 58 games. It went down to the wire, though; the Hawks needed a win over Melville in their finale to finish a single point ahead of Battlefords. Nipawin sat third from the bottom with 159 goals scored (Austen Flaman led with 44 points, good for 42nd in the SJHL), but it didn’t matter; it allowed two goals or less in 42 of 58 games, and goaltender Declan Hobbs topped the league with a 1.84 GAA, .937 save percentage and six shutouts.
PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS 7) Flin Flon Bombers vs. 10) Weyburn Red Wings 8) Yorkton Terriers vs. 9) Notre Dame Hounds
1) Nipawin Hawks vs. lowest-seeded team from preliminary round 2) Battlefords North Stars vs. highest-seeded team from preliminary round 3) Estevan Bruins vs. 6) Humboldt Broncos 4) Melfort Mustangs vs. 5) Kindersley Klippers
FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL) Global Ag Risk Solutions Division Battlefords – 80 points (35-13-10) Kindersley – 78 points (36-16-6) Humboldt – 74 points (35-19-4) Notre Dame – 60 points (25-23-10)
Sherwood Division Nipawin – 81 points (38-15-5) Melfort – 78 points (37-17-4) Flin Flon – 72 points (34-20-4) La Ronge – 26 points (12-44-2)
Viterra Division Estevan – 67 points (31-22-5) Yorkton – 63 points (31-26-1) Weyburn – 42 points (18-34-6) Melville – 42 points (16-32-10)
LEADING SCORERS Justin Ball (Melfort) – 54G 49A 103P Carson Albrecht (Melfort) – 33G 56A 89P Nate Hooper (Flin Flon) – 27G 60A 87P Chantz Petruic (Yorkton) – 32G 52A 84P Brandson Hein (Flin Flon) – 43G 35A 78P
LEADING GOALTENDERS Declan Hobbs (Nipawin) – 22-13-4, 1.84 GAA, .937 SV%, 6 SO Patrick Pugliese (Nipawin) – 16-2-1, 1.95 GAA, .931 SV%, 0 SO Justen Close (Kindersley) – 25-11-4, 2.19 GAA, .928 SV%, 3 SO Shawn Parkinson (Melfort) – 17-6-2, 2.59 GAA, .909 SV%, 0 SO Grant Boldt (Estevan) – 15-11-3, 2.60 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE 2015 (Melfort Mustangs – fourth place)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES 30 (2015, 2014, 2012 (host), 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 (host), 2004, 2003, 2001, 2001 (host), 2000, 1999, 1999 (host), 1998, 1997, 1996, 1996 (host), 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987 (host), 1984, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977)
LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 (Yorkton Terriers)
TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 (2014, Yorkton Terriers; 2008, Humboldt Broncos; 2005, Weyburn Red Wings; 2003, Humboldt Broncos; 1988, Notre Dame Hounds; 1984, Weyburn Red Wings; 1982, Prince Albert Raiders; 1981, Prince Albert Raiders; 1979, Prince Albert Raiders; 1977, Prince Albert Raiders)