With the way things have been going for the Saskatoon Blades, it seemed like only a matter of time before they returned to the top of the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Power Rankings.
After finishing second in Week 9, the Blades jumped back into top spot this week, taking over first from the second-ranked Swift Current Broncos. The Prince Albert Raiders -- owners of a six-game point streak -- had the biggest jump this week, moving two places into seventh.
Each week, a group of contributors from both the East and West Divisions will rank the Conference’s 11 teams based on their performance throughout the season, with the most recent results taking priority.
1) Saskatoon Blades (+1)
The Blades (15-6-1-1) took home and away wins over Medicine Hat but dropped a shutout decision to Moose Jaw, maintaining their lead atop the Eastern Conference. Rowan Calvert and Tyler Parr have been heating up as of late with each putting up two goals and five points in the wins over the Tigers. Ben Riche leads the team with 15 goals and 33 points.
This week: vs. Lethbridge (Friday), vs. Swift Current (Saturday).
2) Swift Current Broncos (-1)
The Broncos (14-9-0-0) had an up-and-down week, defeating Regina but falling on the road to Brandon. Clarke Caswell led Swift Current with three assists in the win over the Pats, Luke Mistelbacher had two goals and leads the team in scoring with 16 goals and 38 points in 23 games. Ty Coupland had two goals in the loss to Brandon.
This week: at Moose Jaw (Tuesday)vs. Prince Albert (Friday), at Saskatoon (Saturday).
3) Medicine Hat Tigers (+1)
The Tigers (13-11-1-0) moved up a spot after three close games, with an OT win over Prince Albert, one-goal loss to Edmonton and OT loss to Saskatoon. The Gavin McKenna show continues with two goals and six points in the three games, while Jordan Switzer was solid in goal and picked up the second game star against Edmonton and Saskatoon.
This week: vs. Brandon (Friday), vs. Calgary (Saturday)
4) Brandon Wheat Kings (+1)
The Wheat Kings (11-6-3-1) have picked up points in eight of their last 10, with a loss to Tri-City and win over Swift Current on their ledger last week. Marcus Nguyen had two goals in the win over the Broncos and continues to lead the team with 13 goals and 24 points in 11 games. Goaltender Carson Bjarnason was the first star in the loss to the Americans.
This week: at Medicine Hat (Friday), at Red Deer (Saturday), at Edmonton (Sunday)
5) Lethbridge Hurricanes (-2)
The Hurricanes (12-8-1-1) didn’t have a lot of luck to close out their U.S. Division road swing with losses to Everet, Portland and Seattle. Brayden Edwards had two goals and four points in the final two games of the trip and leads the team with 30 points in 19 games. Trae Johnson had his first multi-point game of the season with a goal and assist against Seattle.
This week: at Saskatoon (Friday), at Prince Albert (Saturday)
6) Calgary Hitmen (-)
The Hitmen (11-7-3-1) won their lone game in overtime against the Victoria Royals and now have points in five straight games while winning six of their last 10. Oliver Tulk had two goals and four points in their win, while Ben Kindel had a goal and three points and leads the team with 14 and 32 points in 22 games.
This week: vs. Edmonton (Friday), at Medicine Hat (Saturday), vs. Moose Jaw (Sunday)
7) Prince Albert Raiders (+2)
The Raiders (9-8-3-0) are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, with five wins in their last six games and points in eight of their last 10, including an overtime loss to Medicine Hat and shutout win over Regina. Goaltender Max Hildebrand was a big part of that, with 52 saves against the Tigers and 35 against the Pats, taking first-star honours in both games.
This week: at Swift Current (Friday), vs. Lethbridge (Saturday)
8) Edmonton Oil Kings (-)
The Oil Kings (11-10-1-1) had a good weekend, taking wins over Medicine Hat and Red Deer, the latter a shut-out at home in front of 17,224 fans on Teddy Bear Toss Night. Alex Worthington stopped 26 shots in the shutout win over the Pats. Gracyn Sawchyn had two goals and four points in the two games, Gavin Hodnett a goal and four points.
This week: at Calgary (Friday), vs. Prince George (Saturday), vs. Brandon (Sunday).
9) Red Deer Rebels (-2)
The Rebels (10-10-1-2) split their two games, defeating Victoria and being shut out by Edmonton. Rookie Jaxon Fuder had his first two-goal game against the Royals, with six different players having two-point games in the win. Ollie Josephson leads the crew with 16 points in 22 games.
This week: vs. Prince George (Friday), vs. Brandon (Saturday).
10) Regina Pats (-)
The Pats (6-13-2-2) lost all three of their games this week and have a single win in their last 10 games, falling in a shootout to Tri-City to go along with losses to Swift Current and Prince Albert. Zackary Shantz had a goal and assist against the Americans, Zach Moore the same against the Broncos. Tye Spencer leads the Pats with 15 points in 23 games
This week: at Kamloops (Friday), at Kelowna (Saturday), at Victoria (Tuesday).
11. Moose Jaw Warriors (-)
The Warriors (6-14-3-1) have seen things turn around a bit, with three wins and points in five of their last 10 games. That included a shut-out win over Sasaktoon, loss to Tri-City and win over Swift Current. Jackson Unger had 32 saves in the shutout, Rilen Kovacevic had six goals in the three games, including a hat trick against the Broncos.
This week: at Calgary (Sunday), at Lethbridge (Tuesday)
