There’s once again a new leader at the top of the SportsCage WHL Eastern Conference Power Rankings.
The Swift Current Broncos took over first place for the first time this season , with last week’s leader -- the Lethbridge Hurricanes -- dropping two spots into third. The Saskatoon Blades are right behind Swift Current in second, with no team moving more than a couple of spots this week.
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.
(note: rankings do not include games from this week)
1) Swift Current Broncos (+1)
The Broncos (13-7-0-0) picked up back-to-back wins over Moose Jaw early last week, winning in a shootout and overtime. Luke Mistelbacher continued his hot hand, picking up three goals and six points and is now third in WHL scoring. Clarke Caswell had two goals and four points, with the Broncos having won eight of their last 10.
This week: vs. Tri-City (Tuesday), vs. Regina (Friday), at Brandon (Saturday)
2) Saskatoon Blades (+1)
The Blades (14-5-1-1) had home ice wins over Medicine and Tri-City to move within striking distance of first in the rankings. Both games were low-scoring affairs, but Ben Riche had two goals and four points nonetheless. Evan Gardner had 33 saves in the win over the Americans and is second in the WHL with a 2.56 GAA.
This week: vs Medicine Hat (Tuesday), at Moose Jaw (Thursday), at Medicine Hat (Saturday).
3) Lethbridge Hurricanes (-2)
The Hurricanes (12-7-1-0) split their two games last week, getting a shutout win over Brandon and falling to Victoria. Koen Cleaver stopped 35 shots for his first shutout of the season against the Wheat Kings and even drew an assist the next night; Brayden Edwards had three assists and is tied for the team lead in scoring with 26 points.
This week: at Everett (Wednesday), at Portland (Friday), at Seattle (Saturday)
4) Medicine Hat Tigers (+1)
The Tigers (13-10-0-0) picked up back-to-back wins over Edmonton and Victoria to gain a spot in the rankings. Harrison Meneghin had 27 saves in the one-goal victory over the Oil Kings, while Gavin McKenna had two goals and four points and continues to lead the WHL in scoring with 46 points in 23 games.
This week: at Saskatoon (Tuesday), at Prince Albert (Wednesday), at Edmonton (Friday), vs. Saskatoon (Saturday)
(5) Brandon Wheat Kings (-1)
The Wheat Kings (10-5-3-1) hosted Regina for a pair of games on the weekend and went to overtime twice, picking up three of four points. Dominik Petr had a couple solid games with two goals and four points, including the OT winner on Saturday. Marcus Nguyen had a goal and three points and leads Brandon with 22 points.
This week: vs. Tri-City (Friday), vs. Swift Current (Saturday)
6) Calgary Hitmen (+2)
Thanks to three straight wins over Portland, Spokane and Wenatchee on their U.S. Division road swing, the Hitmen (10-7-3-1) made the biggest move up the rankings this week. Connor Hvidston had two goals and four points while Maxim Muranov also had two goals and four points, including the OT winner over Wenatchee.
This week: vs. Victoria (Friday)
7) Red Deer Rebels (-1)
It was a tough week for the Rebels (9-9-1-2) on their U.S. Division trip, with shootout losses to Seattle and Portland and a shutout at the hands of Spokane. Chase Wutzke and Rhett Stoesser both gave the Hitmen solid goaltending, allowing only two goals each in the shootout losses. Ollie Josephson leads Red Deer with 13 points in 20 games.
This week: vs. Victoria (Saturday), at Edmonton (Sunday)
8) Edmonton Oil Kings (-)
The Oil Kings (9-10-1-1) find themselves going through some offensive woes, scoring only four goals in losses to Medicine Hat, Prince Albert and Saskatoon last week. Cole Miller scored a pair of those, though, and Lukas Sawchyn picked up a goal and three points. Gracyn Sawchyn leads the team with 24 points in 18 games.
This week: vs. Victoria (Wednesday), vs. Medicine Hat (Friday), vs. Red Deer (Sunday)
9) Prince Albert Raiders (-)
The Raiders (8-8-3-0) won both their games last weekend, defeating Tri-City and Edmonton while scoring nine goals over the two games. Tomas Mrsic had a hat trick in the win over the Americans and seven points over the two games, leading the team with 25 points in 17 games. Aiden Oiring picked up a goal and five points.
This week: vs. Medicine Hat (Wednesday), vs. Regina (Saturday).
10) Regina Pats (-)
The Pats (5-11-2-2) split a pair of overtime games in Brandon, with Ty Spencer picking up two points, including the OT winner, in their victory to open the weekend set. He added two assists in their loss the next night, with Braxton Whitehead picking up a goal and assist in that contest. Spencer leads the team with 15 points in 21 games.
This week: vs. Tri-City (Wednesday), at Swift Current (Friday), at Prince Albert (Saturday)
11. Moose Jaw Warriors (-)
The Warriors (4-13-1-1) picked up points with a shootout and overtime loss in a home-and-home with Swift Current, with the team winless in their last four games. Brayden Yager had a goal and three points in the two games, while Rilen Kovacevic had a goal and assist in the OT loss. Lynden Lakovic tops the team in scoring with 26 points.
This week: vs Saskatoon (Thursday), vs. Tri-City (Saturday).
