The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs are upon us and we have some very interesting match ups for the quarterfinal round.
After each of the two survivor series went the full three game distance, we finally know who will go head-to-head in the quarterfinal round.
The Estevan Bruins know they will have home ice advantage when they take on Kindersley, and ditto for Melfort, who will be taking on Humboldt.
After both Weyburn and Flin Flon won their survivor series rounds, both with comebacks after losing game one, the Red Wings will be taking on the Battlefords North Stars, while the Bombers will take on division rival Nipawin.
The Red Wings held serve winning game three 3-2 in overtime, while the Bombers completed the mini-upset winning 4-1 in game three on the road.
9.) Flin Flon Bombers vs. 1.) Nipawin Hawks
Season Series: Nipawin: 6-1-1, Flin Flon: 2-6 (Nipawin outscored Flin Flon 31-15)
Power plays: Nipawin: 10/40, Flin Flon: 5/41
Top scorers:
Nipawin – Brandan Arnold – 4 goals, 7 assists
Flin Flon – Nate Hooper – 2 goals, 5 assists
Goalies:
Nipawin – Declan Hobbs – 4-0 record with a .946 save percentage
Flin Flon – Brenden Newton – 1-3 record with a .919 save percentage
Last playoff meeting: 2016-2017 Semi-finals: Flin Flon wins 4-3
Head-to-Head playoff meetings: Nipawin leads 4-3 (2016-2017 Semi-final: Flin Flon wins 4-3, 2012-2013 Quarterfinal: Flin Flon wins 4-2, 2000-2001 Semi-final: Nipawin wins 4-1, 1993-1994 Survivor Series: Nipawin wins 2-0, 1992-1993 Semi-final: Flin Flon wins 4-1, 1989-1990 Quarterfinal: Nipawin wins 4-0, 1987-1988 Quarterfinal: Nipawin wins 4-0)
7.) Weyburn Red Wings vs. 2.) Battlefords North Stars
Season Series: Battlefords: 3-1 (North Stars outscored Red Wings 12-5)
Power Plays: Battlefords: 4/13, Weyburn: 2/17
Top Scorers:
Battlefords – Layne Young – 2 goals, 5 assists
Weyburn – Cade Kowalski – 3 assists
Goalies:
Battlefords – Taryn Kotchorek – 2-1 record with a .973 save percentage
Weyburn – Arik Weersink – 1-3 record with a .917 save percentage
Last Playoff Meeting: 2016-2017 Quarterfinal: Battlefords win 4-0
Total H2H Playoff Records: Series tied 3-3 (2016-2017 Quarterfinal: Battlefords win 4-0, 1999-2000 League final: Battlefords win 4-3, 1996-1997 League final: Weyburn wins 4-0, 1994-1995 League final: Weyburn wins 4-1, 1986-1987 Quarterfinal: Battlefords win 4-2, 1983-1984 Quarterfinal: Weyburn wins 4-0)
6.) Kindersley Klippers vs. 3.) Estevan Bruins
Season Series: Kindersley: 2-0-2, Estevan: 2-2 (Klippers outscored Bruins 13-12)
Power Plays: Kinderlsey: 4-for-17, Estevan: 3-for-22
Top Scorers:
Kindersley – Tanner Thompson – 3 goals, 4 assists
Estevan – Hayden Guilderson – 3 goals, 2 assists
Goalies:
Kindersley – Justen Close – 1-0-2 record with a .946 save percentage
Estevan – Bo Didur – 1-1 record with a .918 save percentage
Last Playoff Meeting: 2012-2013 Survivor Series: Estevan wins 3-1
Total H2H Playoff Records: Series tied 1-1 (2012-2013 Survivor Series: Estevan wins 3-1, 2008-2009 Survivor Series: Kindersley wins 3-2)
5.) Humboldt Broncos vs. 4.) Melfort Mustangs
Season Series: Humboldt: 3-3, Melfort: 3-2-1 (Teams tied 15-15 in goals)
Power Plays: Humboldt: 3/23, Melfort: 2/22
Top Scorers:
Humboldt - Logan Schatz - 5 goals, 3 assists
Melfort – Loch Morrison - 2 goals, 5 assists
Goalies:
Humboldt - Jacob Wassermann - 2-3 record with a .919 save percentage
Melfort - Evan Plotnik - 1-2-1 record with a .907 save percentage
Last Playoff Meeting: 2013-2014 Quarterfinals: Humboldt wins 4-2
Total H2H Playoff Records: Melfort leads 5-4 (2013-2014 Quarterfinals: Humboldt wins 4-2, 2012-2013 Quarterfinals: Humboldt wins 4-1, 2010-2011 Quarterfinals: Melfort wins 4-2, 2006-2007 Quarterfinals: Humboldt wins 4-3, 2002-2003 Quarterfinals: Humboldt wins 4-0, 1998-1999 Semi-finals: Melfort wins 4-0, 1995-1996 Quarterfinals: Melfort wins 4-0, 1993-1994 Semi-Finals: Melfort wins 4-0, 1991-1992 Semi-Finals: Melfort wins 4-2)
