The Nipawin Hawks did it again, and they did it with defence. The Hawks made it back-to-back regular-season titles in the SJHL with a dominating defensive performance, allowing just 118 goals in 58 games. It went down to the wire, though; the Hawks needed a win over Melville in their finale to finish a single point ahead of Battlefords. Nipawin sat third from the bottom with 159 goals scored (Austen Flaman led with 44 points, good for 42nd in the SJHL), but it didn’t matter; it allowed two goals or less in 42 of 58 games, and goaltender Declan Hobbs topped the league with a 1.84 GAA, .937 save percentage and six shutouts.

PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS
7) Flin Flon Bombers vs. 10) Weyburn Red Wings
8) Yorkton Terriers vs. 9) Notre Dame Hounds

1) Nipawin Hawks vs. lowest-seeded team from preliminary round
2) Battlefords North Stars vs. highest-seeded team from preliminary round
3) Estevan Bruins vs. 6) Humboldt Broncos
4) Melfort Mustangs vs. 5) Kindersley Klippers

FINAL STANDINGS (W-L-OTL)
Global Ag Risk Solutions Division
Battlefords – 80 points (35-13-10)
Kindersley – 78 points (36-16-6)
Humboldt – 74 points (35-19-4)
Notre Dame – 60 points (25-23-10)

Sherwood Division
Nipawin – 81 points (38-15-5)
Melfort – 78 points (37-17-4)
Flin Flon – 72 points (34-20-4)
La Ronge – 26 points (12-44-2)

Viterra Division
Estevan – 67 points (31-22-5)
Yorkton – 63 points (31-26-1)
Weyburn – 42 points (18-34-6)
Melville – 42 points (16-32-10)

LEADING SCORERS
Justin Ball (Melfort) – 54G 49A 103P
Carson Albrecht (Melfort) – 33G 56A 89P
Nate Hooper (Flin Flon) – 27G 60A 87P
Chantz Petruic (Yorkton) – 32G 52A 84P
Brandson Hein (Flin Flon) – 43G 35A 78P

LEADING GOALTENDERS
Declan Hobbs (Nipawin) – 22-13-4, 1.84 GAA, .937 SV%, 6 SO
Patrick Pugliese (Nipawin) – 16-2-1, 1.95 GAA, .931 SV%, 0 SO
Justen Close (Kindersley) – 25-11-4, 2.19 GAA, .928 SV%, 3 SO
Shawn Parkinson (Melfort) – 17-6-2, 2.59 GAA, .909 SV%, 0 SO
Grant Boldt (Estevan) – 15-11-3, 2.60 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE
2015 (Melfort Mustangs – fourth place)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
30 (2015, 2014, 2012 (host), 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 (host), 2004, 2003, 2001, 2001 (host), 2000, 1999, 1999 (host), 1998, 1997, 1996, 1996 (host), 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987 (host), 1984, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977)

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2014 (Yorkton Terriers)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
10 (2014, Yorkton Terriers; 2008, Humboldt Broncos; 2005, Weyburn Red Wings; 2003, Humboldt Broncos; 1988, Notre Dame Hounds; 1984, Weyburn Red Wings; 1982, Prince Albert Raiders; 1981, Prince Albert Raiders; 1979, Prince Albert Raiders; 1977, Prince Albert Raiders)