After a few weeks with new teams taking over the lead, the Saskatoon Blades were able to stay atop the mountain in the SportsCage Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Power Rankings this week.
Three teams made big moves thanks to a string of impressive performance, with the Calgary Hitmen, Prince Albert Raiders and Red Deer Rebels all jumping three spots into the top six.
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 (-)
The Blades (17-6-1-1) kept rolling along, extending their lead atop the Eastern Conference with wins over Lethbridge and Swift Current last weekend. Team scoring leader Ben Riche had three points over the two games and has 37 points on the season. Evan Gardner stopped 30 shots and allowed a single goal in the win over the Hurricanes.
This week: vs. Red Deer (Wednesday), vs. Calgary (Saturday).
2) Medicine Hat Tigers (+1)
The Tigers (16-11-1-0) scored 14 goals in two wins over Brandon and Calgary, climbing into second place in the Conference. Exceptional player Gavin McKenna continues to score at an exceptional pace, with three goals and seven points in the two games, giving him 57 points and the WHL scoring lead. Oasiz Weisblatt picked up a goal and five points.
This week: at Swift Current (Wednesday), at Lethbridge (Friday), vs. Edmonton (Saturday)
3) Calgary Hitmen (+3)
The Hitmen (13-8-3-1) defeated Edmonton and Moose Jaw and lost to Medicine Hat last week, and remain one of the hottest teams in the Conference with seven wins in their last 10 games. Tanner Howe had a hat trick against the Warriors and six points over the week, Anders Miller had a 19-save shutout against Moose Jaw.
This week: at Prince Albert (Friday), at Saskatoon (Saturday)
4) Prince Albert Raiders (+3)
The Raiders (11-9-3-0) took one-goal wins over Swift Current and Lethbridge and also have seven victories in their last 10 games. Thomas Mrsic had a hat trick against the Broncos and five points in the two games, while Aiden Oiring racked up four points against Speedy Creek and had six points total.
This week: vs. Red Deer (Tuesday), vs. Calgary (Friday), at Brandon (Saturday)
5) Swift Current Broncos (-3)
It was a tough week for the Broncos, with losses to Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, the latter in a shootout. Clarke Caswell had two goals and five points over the three games, while Brady Birnie and Carlin Dezainde each racked up four points in the three games. Luke Mistelbacher had three points and is tied for fifth in WHL scoring with 42 points.
This week: at Moose Jaw (Friday), vs. Red Deer (Saturday)
6) Red Deer Rebels (+3)
The Rebels (14-10-1-2) have bounced back nicely from a tough stretch, picking up wins over Prince George and Brandon to make a big jump in the rankings. Talon Brigley has found himself on a roll as of late, putting up two goals and five points on the weekend, while both Chase Wutzke and Peyton Shore turned in solid goaltending performances.
This week: at Prince Albert (Tuesday), at Saskatoon (Wednesday), at Brandon (Friday), at Swift Current (Saturday)
7) Brandon Wheat Kings (-3)
The Wheat Kings (12-8-3-1) lost back-to-back games to Brandon and Red Deer on the weekend before taking a win over Edmonton, with their .500 record over their last 10 knocking them down three spots. Dominik Petr had a goal and four points over the week, while Marcus Nguyen and Matteo Michels each had three points.
This week: vs. Red Deer (Friday), vs. Prince Albert (Saturday)
8) Lethbridge Hurricanes (-2)
The Hurricanes (13-10-1-1) dropped two games to Saskatoon and Prince Albert and have four wins in their last 10 outings, leading to their two-spot drop -- though their fortunes will likely improve after their blockbuster trade with Moose Jaw. Noah Chadwick had a goal and assist as the Hurricanes scored only three goals in the two games.
This week: vs. Moose Jaw (Tuesday), vs. Medicine Hat (Friday)
9) Edmonton Oil Kings (-)
The Oil Kings (12-12-1-1) took losses to Calgary and Edmonton but shut-out Prince George in between during three weekend games. Parker Snell made his WHL debut and had 29 saves in the clean sheet against the Cougars, while Gavin Hodnett and Gracyn Sawchyn each had a goal and four points on the week.
This week: at Medicine Hat (Saturday), vs. Regina (Sunday)
10) Regina Pats (-)
It was a rough stretch for the Pats in the midst of their B.C. DIvision road swing, with lopsided losses to Kamloops, Kelowna and Victoria, with Regina scoring only two goals in that span. Tye Spencer had both those markers for the Queen City crew, who head into the week with a single win in their last 10.
This week: at Vancouver (Wednesday), at Prince George (Friday), at Edmonton (Sunday)
11. Moose Jaw Warriors (-)
The Warriors (6-16-3-1) officially entered a new era after trading Brayden Yager and Jackson Unger to Lethbridge in a blockbuster deal on Monday. Before that trade happened the Warriors took a win over Swift Current before being shut out in Calgary. Rilen Kovacevic had a hat trick against the Broncos, Pavel McKenzie two goals and three points, and Yager four assists in his penultimate game as a Warrior.
This week: vs. Swift Current (Friday), at Prince Albert (Tuesday)
