Tuesday 28 February 2017

Melville Prairie Fire (SFMAAAHL) advance to round 2 for first time in team history


For the first time in team history, the Melville Prairie Fire are into round 2 of the Sask. Female Midget AAA hockey league postseason.

Recently named League MVP Sami Jo Henry had 1G 2A while Ally Hayhurst scored the eventual game winning goal 8:47 into the 3rd period as the Prairie Fire slipped by the Notre Dame Hounds 3-1 in Wilcox last night (Mon).


Josée Aitken also scored for the Fire while Ashlyn Taillon made 16 saves in the win.


The Prairie Fire wins the Best of 5 Quarter-Final in 4 games and now advances to battle the Prince Albert Bears in the Semi-final round 

Prairie Fire Head Coach Dean Amy talks series win, league awards and Semi-final matchup with Prince Albert

Monday 27 February 2017

Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) make Coaching Change


 

The Swan Valley Stampeders have decided to part ways with head coach and general manager, Erik Petersen (pictured above right).
In a corresponding move, Asst. Coach Darren Webster (pictured above left) has been appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
Petersen who became the Stamps Head Coach/GM just before the 2013/14 season compiled a record of 96 wins- 118 loss & 27 overtime losses. The Stampeders also reached the postseason in each of his first 3 season. 
Swan Valley currently in 2016/17 are in the 8th and final playoff spot in the MJHL standings with a record of 19-33-5 on the season, good for 43 points. 
The Stampeders quest for the post season continue with their next game on Wednesday night when they visit the Portage Terriers at 7:30 
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Remarks and thanks to former Head coach/GM Erik Petersen: 

I would like thank Erik Petersen for everything he has done for me the last 4 years as he was the Head Coach/GM of the Swan Valley Stampeders.

As a broadcaster all you ask for is for a Head coach that is very accommodating with pregame and post game interviews, trade or hockey news about the Stamps, and just making a broadcaster feel like he fits in and that's what Erik did for me his whole time in the Valley.

So I wish the absolute best to Erik and his family moving forward into the future, and would like to thank him once again for the good times and good memories spent at the rink.

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Swan Valley Stampeders President Dave Kirk talks about the decision

Prairie Fire's Amy & Henry among 2016/17 SFMAAAHL Award Winners


The SFMAAAHL award winners for 2016/17 as selected by the league teams are:


Top Scorer: Taylor Lind, Swift Current Wildcats

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Camryn Amundson, Prince Albert Northern Bears

Rookie of the Year: Taylor Lind, Swift Current Wildcats

Top Goaltender: Kaitlyn Ross, Notre Dame Hounds

Top Defenseman: Brooke Hobson, Prince Albert Northern Bears

Most Valuable Player: Sami Jo Henry Melville Prairie Fire

Coach of the Year: Dean Amy, Melville Prairie Fire

Millionaires F Aragon named SJHL Rookie of the Week




SJHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:  
Aaron Aragon, Melville Millionaires

1997 F Aaron Aragon (Whittier CA USA) helped spark the Mils run to the final playoff spot this past week by scoring the game winning goal, late in the third period against Weyburn on Saturday night; part of a three point evening.  He also had a goal against the Wings one night earlier and now has 10-goals and 12-assists in 49-games played.  Runner-up:  Dayton Heino, Melville.

(SJHL Press Release) 

** Also Mils Captain Clayton Eisler was named runner-up for SJHL Defensemen of the Week. 


Yorkton Terriers Coaches Show - Feb 27h Edition


Sunday 26 February 2017

Evans & Perrault lead Stamps back into MJHL Playoff spot with 3-2 win on Sunday over Virden


 

The Swan Valley Stampeders snapped a 7 game losing streak on Sunday night and also moved back into the 8th & final MJHL playoff spot in the process after a 3-2 win over the Virden Oil Capitals.

The Stamps would open the scoring just over the halfway point of the 1st period as Jason Cohan's shot from the side-boards would deflected home by Brian Harris for the Wawanesa products 15th of the season to make 1-0. The Oil Caps would though get a late power play and they would convert just 12 seconds into it as Kirklan Lycar would back in home his 14th to make it a 1-1 deadlock after 1 period.

Just 4:44 into the 2nd period, the Oil Caps would grab their first lead as Carter Cowlthorp would jam in home his team-leading 24th of the year to make it 2-1 for the visitors. But 2:38 left in the 2nd, Stephon Perrault's long point shot would go off the far-side post and in for his 3rd to tie up once again at 2-2 after 40 minutes.

The game winning goal for Swan would come just 2:07 into the 3rd frame as Jason Cohan would feed Stephon Perrault (pictured above right) in the high slot and he would go top shelf over the left shoulder of Caps goalie Marc Audet for his 2nd of the night to give the Stamps the big 1 goal victory.

Stamps' netminder Brett Evans (pictured above left) was once again sharp stopping 43 of 45 shots for his 10th win of the season while Marc Audet made 29 saves in a losing cause.

The Stamps with the win now once again pull into the 8th and final playoff spot, a point ahead of the Neepawa Natives and they also officially eliminated the Dauphin Kings from playoff contention (1st time they'll miss since 2003/04.

Swan Valley is back on the ice on Wednesday night when they visit the Portage Terriers at 7:30.


Elsewhere in the MJHL,

The Wayway Wolverines fell on home ice to the league-leading Steinbach Pistons on Sunday night, 4-3 at the Wayway Arena Complex.

Riley Martin, Korwin Shewchuk and Adam Withers scored for the Wolverines while McKenzie Chalmers was once again solid but in the loss making 35 saves on 39 shots in Wayway net.

Wolverines are back in action on Tuesday night when they host the Selkirk Steelers from the Wayway Arena Complex at 7:30.

Friday 24 February 2017

Sask.Midget AAA Hockey League Playoff Preview with Yorkton Rawtec Maulers Interim Head Coach Kevin Rawlick


Swan Valley Stampeders Coaches Show - Feb 24th Edition


2016/17 MJHL Award Winners & All-Star teams announced


OCN Blizzard’s Brady Keeper is the recipient of two major MJHL awards: MVP and top defenceman, Commissioner Kim Davis announced today.
The league also announced the winners of the remaining four major awards and all-star teams.
“Every player should be commended for their outstanding performance over the regular season,” said Davis. “Coaches of the league vote and make the selections. These selections are extremely difficult to make. The talent level in our league continues to improve yearly. The selection of our award winners and all-stars is a time-consuming and difficult process.”
Steve “Boomer”  Hawrysh MVP Award
Brady Keeper, 20, hails from Cross Lake and has committed to University of Maine for next season. In 44 games, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound D-man has scored 22 goals and recorded 45 points.
Rookie of the Year – Vince Leah Trophy
Cole Weaver, Winkler Flyers. The rookie goaltender from Champin Park, MN, has enjoyed an outstanding freshman season. He currently owns a 24-11 record with a .909 save percentage. At 6-foot-2, he takes up a lot of net, making it very difficult for opposition shooters. As you can guess, his favourite player is a goaltender: Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.
Hockey Ability – Lorne “Windy” Lyndon Trophy
Jeremey Leipsic, Portage Terriers. The native of Winnipeg currently leads the MJHL scoring race, and is hoping to add that award to his accomplishments. He currently has 93 points (30-63) in 55 games. At 5-foot-8, Leipsic is highly skilled and can make plays at a high speed. Leipsic, 19, is hoping to earn a college scholarship. His older brother, Brendan, plays with the Toronto Marlboros (AHL).
Top Goaltender
Roman Bengert, Steinbach Pistons. The native of Cole Harbour, NS, leads the MJHL in three goaltending categories: wins (34), minutes played (2,439) and shutouts (five). At 6-foot-3, Bengert has proven to be extremely difficult to beat. Bengert recently committed to Lake Superior State.
Top Defenceman – Brian Kozak Trophy
Brady Keeper, OCN Blizzard
Coach of the Year – Portage Terriers “ Muzz McPherson” Award
Paul Dyck, Steinbach Pistons. Currently, the Pistons have only eight losses this season and have been nationally ranked No. 1 several times by the CJHL. Dyck, a former draft of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was head coach when the Pistons won the MJHL in 2013. Under Dyck’s tutelage, the Pistons have appeared in the last two MJHL championships.
1st All Star Team     
Goal
Roman Bengert
Steinbach Pistons
Defence
Lawson McDonald
Winkler Flyers
Defence
Brady Keeper
OCN Blizzard
Forward
Jeremey Leipsic
Portage Terriers
Forward
Brandon Stanley
Wayway Wolverines
Forward
MacKenzie Graham
Steinbach Pistons

2nd All Star Team    
Goal
Cole Weaver
Winkler Flyers
Defence
Tyler Anderson
Steinbach Pistons
Defence
Tyler Jubenvill
Winkler Flyers
Forward
Chase Brakel
Portage Terriers
Forward
Scott Gall
Winkler Flyers
Forward
Jake Dudar
Selkirk Steelers

Rookie All Star Team
Goal
Cole Weaver
Winkler Flyers
Defence
Layne Toder
Portage Terriers
Defence
Sam Stewart
Neepawa Natives
Forward
Will Koop
Steinbach Pistons
Forward
Riese Gaber
Dauphin Kings
Forward
Dallas Tulik
Winnipeg Blues

Each all-star winner will receive their award at their home rink over the next two weeks. The MJHL’s top scorer, who will be decided upon season’s end, will receive the Mike Ridley Trophy, named after the prolific goal scorer who starred with the St. Boniface Saints.

(MJHL Press Release) 

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Wolverines playoffs hopes dashed as they fall on road to Neepawa

The Wayway Wolverines were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night as they fell 5-3 on the road to the Neepawa Natives.

The home side would open the scoring very early in the 1st period and it would be the only offence of the opening frame as Reigan Buchanan would go in on a partial 2 on 1 and then go short-side shelf on McKenzie Chalmers for his 14th of the season to give Neepawa a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes with shots 10-8 Wolverines.

Quinton Cubbon would draw the Wolverines even 9:38 into the middle frame as he would bat home his 6th of the season out of mid-air to make it 1-1 game. Then just 2:38 later, the Wolverines would grab their first lead as Riley Martin would jam home his 8th of the year to make it 2-1. But the home squad would get 2 late goals one by Nolan Richards (15th) and a power play goal from Reigan Buchanan, his 2nd of the night & 15th of the campaign to regain Neepawa their lead at 3-2 after 40 minutes with shots at 22-18 Neepawa after 2 periods.

Cubbon would add his 2nd of the night just 1:09 into the 3rd period as he would poke it past Tyler Gutenberg for his 7th to make it 3-3. But just 5:40 later, Reigan Buchanan would complete the hat-trick top-shelf for his 16th to make it 4-3 Neepawa. They would then ice it into the empty net with just over a minute to go as Nolan Richards would cap a 4 point night with his 16th to help the home side to the 2 goal win.

Tyler Gutenberg earned his 11th win of the season making 30 saves on 33 shots while McKenzie Chalmers made 27 saves in a losing cause.

With the win, Neepawa is now just 1 point back of Swan for the final playoff spot. Neepawa is back at it on Friday hosting the Portage Terriers while the Wolverines are back at it on Sunday when they host the Steinbach Pistons.

Melville Millionaires Coaches Show- Feb 22nd edition





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Other SJHL News:

Yorkton Terriers Cole Kennleyyside suspended 8 games for a Charging Major, Goalie Interference Penalty.
Yorkton Terriers Corwin Stevely suspended for 5 games for a Late Hit causing injury.

**Both hits came in the Terriers 2-1 overtime win on Monday against the Weyburn Red Wings

Tuesday 21 February 2017

Chalmers' shutout leads Wolverines to 4-0 blanking over Swan Valley



The Wayway Wolverines snap 2 game slide as they shut out the visiting Swan Valley Stampeders 4-0 on Tuesday night.

The Wolverines would hit the scoresheet first 12:25 into the 1st period as Adam Withers would go five-hole on Connor Slipp for his 5th of the season to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Dylan Tanner would give Wayway just over 7 minutes into the 2nd as he went top-shelf over the left shoulder of the Stamps' goaltender for his 7th to make it 2-0. 18 year old Brendan Martin would add his 20th of the season late in the middle frame to give the home squad a 3 goal lead after 2 periods.

Wayway would wrap up the scoring a the 8:50 mark of the 3rd period as Wayde Johannesson's seeing-eye point shot would go off the far post and in for only his 2nd of the year to help the Wolverines' to their 4 goal win.

McKenzie Chalmers made 29 saves on the night to record his 1st MJHL shutout for Waywaseecappo while Connor Slipp made 23 saves in the losing cause.

The Stamps' still sit in the 8th and final playoff spot in the MJHL standings with a 3 point lead on the Neepawa Natives. The Wolverines' also kept their playoff hopes alive as they sit 9 points alive with 5 games to play.

Wayway will go right back at it on Wednesday night as they visit the Neepawa Natives. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Jr. Hockey, pregame 7:20 pxp at 7:30.  The Stamps' next game will be on Saturday night when they host the Virden Oil Capitals at the Centennial Arena.


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In the SJHL,

Eric Soar capped his 2 point night with the OT goal just 2:43 into the extra period as the Melville Millionaires won their 2nd straight a 3-2 decision over the Estevan Bruins.

Tucker Scantlebury and Clayton Eisler also scored for the Mils while Colby Entz made 35 saves on 37 shots for his 11th victory of the season.

The Mils now sit just 4 points back of the Melfort Mustangs for the SJHL playoff spot.

The Mils and Weyburn Red Wings will have a home & home this weekend starting Friday night at 7:30 from the Horizon Credit Union Center.

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In the Sask. Female Midget AAA Hockey league playoffs,

The Melville Prairie Fire struck first in their Best of 5 Quarter-Finals as they blanked the Notre Dame Hounds 6-0 on Tuesday night.

Heather Fiske had 2 goals while Kelsey Fishley had 1G 2A to lead the Prairie Fire offensively while Ashlyn Taillon kicked out all 26 shots she faced for the shutout.

The Prairie Fire now lead the series 1-0 with Game 2 taking place on Thursday night at 8PM from the Duncan McNeil Arena in Wilcox

SFMAAAHL Playoff Preview with Melville Prairie Fire Head Coach Dean Amy


2016/17 SJHL & MJHL Award Nominees




ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Sherwood - Tyler Heidt, Melfort
Finning - Adam Dawe, Notre Dame
Viterra - Michael McChesey, Estevan

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sherwood - Greyson Reitmeier, Flin Flon
Finning - Ben Duperreault, Notre Dame
Viterra - Josh Rieger, Estevan

MVP
Sherwood - Kristian Stead, Nipawin
Finning - Ben Duperreault, Notre Dame
Viterra - Josh Rieger, Estevan

TOP GOALIE
Sherwood - Kristian Stead, Nipawin
Finning - Taryn Kotchorek, Battlefords
Viterra - Colby Entz- Melville

TOP DEFENSEMAN
Sherwood - Eric Sinclair, Flin Flon
Finning - Kendall Fransoo, Battlefords
Viterra - Josh Rieger, Estevan / Mike Eskra, Weyburn


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MJHL announces award nominees

WINNIPEG – Nominees for the MJHL’s six major awards have been finalized, Commissioner Kim Davis announced today.

“Each team submitted a nominee for the awards and the league’s 11 coaches subsequently conducted a vote,” explained Davis. “Each of the nominees should be very proud of their accomplishment.”

The respective winners will be announced later this week. The Mike Ridley Award, given to league’s top point producer, will be known when the regular season comes to an end.

The award finalists are:

MVP Award – Steve “Boomer” Hawrysh Memorial Trophy

·         Mackenzie Graham - Steinbach Pistons
·         Chase Brakel - Portage Terriers
·         Brady Keeper - OCN Blizzard

Rookie of the Year Award – Vince Leah Trophy

·         Riese Gaber - Dauphin Kings
·         Will Koop - Steinbach Pistons
·         Cole Weaver - Winkler Flyers

Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship Award – Lorne “Windy” Lyndon Memorial Trophy

·         Jeremey Leipsic - Portage Terriers
·         Scott Gall - Winkler Flyers
·         Justin Metcalf - Neepawa Natives

Top Goaltender Award

·         Hayden Dola - Selkirk Steelers
·         Cole Weaver - Winkler Flyers
·         Roman Bengert - Steinbach Pistons


Top Defenseman Award – Brian Kozak Memorial Trophy

·         Brady Keeper -  OCN Blizzard
·         Tyler Anderson - Steinbach Pistons
·         Lawson McDonald - Winkler Flyers

Top Scorer Award – Mike Ridley Trophy

·         TBA at a later date

Coach of the Year Award – Portage Terriers “Muzz McPherson” Award

·         Paul Dyck - Steinbach Pistons
·         Ken Pearson - Winkler Flyers
·         Doug Hedley - OCN Blizzard