BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – The majority of the teams in the SMAAAHL only have 11 or 12 games remaining in the regular season. With so many key playoff races underway, here at five thoughts to consider with just five weeks remaining in the regular season.
- Log jam for the final two playoff spots: Six points separate four teams in the battle for the final two post-season positions. Tisdale Trojans (7th place; 32 points; 11 games remaining) and Battlefords Stars (8th place; 29; 13) hold those two spots right now, but the Prince Albert Mintos (9th place; 28; 14) and the Saskatoon Contacts (10th place; 26; 13) are in the mix.
- Table set for the Contacts: Thanks to a 2-11 start, the Contacts have been in the chase position all season. But Ryan Keller’s squad has a path to the playoffs if they can capitalize on their schedule. The Contacts have THREE games remaining against Battlefords – the team in the final playoff spot with a three-point cushion right now. Saskatoon also has two games against Tisdale. The next six games on the schedule will likely determine the Contacts’ fate: Battlefords (back-to-back), Tisdale (back-to-back), Yorkton Kinsmen Maulers and Battlefords.
- Tough road for Prince Albert: If the Mintos make the playoffs, they will ride into the post-season with some key wins against top teams. Prince Albert has the toughest remaining schedule: the final 14 games feature two against the Regina Pat Canadians, a pair with Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors, another two with the Estevan Innovex Bears and a single with the Saskatoon Blazers. That is seven games against the four hottest teams in the league.
- Battle for first-place: Circle January 28th on your calendar. The Warriors travel to Regina that night for a game that will go a long way to determining first place. Regina holds a three-point lead for top spot in the standings, but Moose Jaw has a game in-hand while sitting in second place.
- Advantage to the Saskatoon Blazers: Troy Walkington’s crew took care of business in Swift Current this weekend – sweeping a pair against the Legionnaires. That vaulted the Blazers to third place and pushed the Legionnaires to fourth place. Swift Current had occupied third-place for months until being swept. In the Blazers final 11 games, they only play one contest against a team with a winning record. That means nothing – unless you capitalize. But the opportunity to take a strangle-hold on third place is right there.
