Now That the Dust Has Settled

Well, after a fairly busy, (but not earth-shattering) trade deadline on Saturday... teams can re-focus... players all know they're safe... and it's gonna be one heck of a race to the finish line.

In the SJHL... the Sherwood's really up for grabs. Melville continues to lead Weyburn by 2 points (before Monday's action)... but the Mils also have 3 games in hand. Yorkton sits 8 back of the Red Wings and 2 ahead of Kindersley. The Klippers have played 4 fewer games than the Terriers. Estevan could threaten to move up, now just 3 points back of Kindersley. But the Klippers' 6 games in hand on the Bruins will likely be the difference-maker. Notre Dame's 8 points out of a playoff spot, and have 13 games to play.

Humboldt could quit now and still win the north. They've got a 25 point lead over second place Flin Flon. The Bombers have 15 games left, which means a possible 30 points on the table. 10 point separate Flin Flon, Nipawin and Melfort. Battleford sits 10 points back of the Mustangs... while La Ronge sits 3 behind the North Stars.

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In Manitoba... the Dauphin Kings are making a push at first place after last night's 4-3 win over Portage. The Kings are now 7 points back of the defending champion Terriers, with a game in hand. OCN's got some cushion in third. They're 9 back of Dauphin, and 10 ahead of Wayway. The Wolverines have a 4 point lead and 2 games in hand on the Neepawa Natives... while the Swan Valley Stampeders are 13 behind Neepawa. With the Stamps also moving most of their key veterans, no one would argue it's a long shot for the Stamps to get back to the playoffs. However... the Stamps do play Neepawa another 5 times before the regular season's up. 5 of the 6 Sherwood teams will most likely make the playoffs, thanks to the crossover, and the Winnipeg South Blues struggling this year.

That's all for today. I'm in OCN with Swan Valley tomorrow night... then doing a makeup broadcast in Swan the next night against the Blizzard. Hope everyone's looking forward to the stretch drive... it'll be a beauty!