After the Wild Card round matchups gave SJHL fans a taste of playoff action last week it is time for the main attraction as the SJHL Quarterfinals start this weekend. With North Battlefords and Yorkton awaiting their first round opponents based on the result of Thursday's Game 5 between Flin Flon and Estevan two of the quarterfinal matchups have been set since the end of the regular season.
#7 seed Melfort will take on defending North Division champions Humboldt as the Broncos take on the Mustangs in one of the quarterfinals while the #3 seed Kindersley Klippers will take on the #4 seed Melville Millionaires.
Here is what you need to know about the SJHL's quarterfinal matchups, along with a prediction of who should come out on top for entertainment purposes.
#1 Yorkton Vs. Lowest Wild Card Seed (Notre Dame/Flin Flon)
The Terriers will get to play either the Notre Dame Hounds or the Flin Flon Bombers should Flin Flon complete their improbable upset of the Bruins after discarding star forward Brett Boehm in a trade to Yorkton and star goaltender Devin Buffalo to the AJHL. If the Bombers lose the Terriers will simply just play another team they owned during the regular season in the Hounds.
Because of travel purposes I assume the Terriers will hope to draw the Hounds, but either of the two potential opponents will be in tough to even win a game against the in-form Terriers on a week's rest.
Season Series Edge: Yorkton
Scoring Edge: Yorkton
Defensive Edge: Yorkton
Goaltending Edge: Yorkton
Prediction: Yorkton in a four game sweep
#2 Battlefords North Stars Vs. Second Lowest Wild Card Seed (Estevan/Notre Dame)
Battlefords will be hoping that the Bombers can upset Estevan on the road Thursday as the North Stars would be in tough against the Bruins who have scoring weapon Austin Daae and a history of winning against the Stars this season.
If the Bruins lose the North Stars should be able to walk through the Hounds, but they could be on upset alert against the streaky Bruins.
Season Series Edge: TBD
Scoring Edge: TBD
Defensive Edge: TBD
Goaltending Edge: TBD
Prediction: Stars in six games over Estevan, Stars in five over Notre Dame
#5 Humboldt Broncos Vs. #7 Melfort Mustangs
Humboldt dropped off after two straight years as the class of the SJHL, finishing third in a tough Sherwood Division the Broncos should still be favorites over the Melfort Mustangs who despite winning the Kramer Division have five less wins than the Broncos. If rookie sensation Ryland Pashovitz can continue to fill Matt Hrynkiw's shoes in goal for the Broncos and enough of their new faces can step up in the postseason they should be able to outlast Melfort.
Losing their last three games against the Mustangs during a terrible second half of the season will give the Broncos some fear of the upset in this #5 against #7 series that could go either way.
Season Series Edge: Tied
Scoring Edge: Melfort
Defensive Edge: Humboldt
Goaltending Edge: Humboldt
Prediction: Humboldt in seven games
#3 Kindersley Klippers Vs. #4 Melville Millionaires
After battling neck and neck with the Terriers for the Viterra Division title the Millionaires fell out of first place and home ice advantage down the stretch. That will be a letdown for head coach Jaime Fiesel who will now have to take a young inexperienced team on the road and not in the Mils brand new barn that has one of the best home ice advantages in the league. Kindersley and Melville are nearly dead even in terms of regular season points and goal differential so this series could be the best of the quarterfinal bench, at the cost of the nerves of both fanbases as well as the players and coaches.
Season Series Edge: Tied
Scoring Edge: Melville
Defensive Edge: Kindersley
Goaltending Edge: Tied
Series Prediction: Mils in six games.
