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***Jexter*** · 07-07-2024, 01:10 PM

Welcome one and all to the SMJHL S77 Power Ranking. This time around, we will look at teams with a quick summary of their season and then go over some top performers for them as well as some unsung heroes who could be clutch come playoffs. This should be a very intense time, particularly in the North where there was not a lot separating the teams in the regular season.

1. Maine Timber Timber

Preseason Rank: 1
Record: 48-16-2 for 98 points
First Round Matchup: San Diego Tidal
The Timber came into the season as the major favorites as the team who came in as the second place finishers in the previous season, but not losing nearly as much as the champions. The Timber fully expected to be back near the top this season with the Lavoies playing out of their mind and JJ Franky JJ nearly surpassing them in points. With this team playing much like they did last season, I see no reason to not call them the favorites in this playoffs.
Top Performers: Edouard Lavoie, Mia Lavoie, Jean-Jacques Francois Jacques-Jean, Matviy Cajabi, and Shotty McStopper
Dark Horses: Deth Klaw, Kobe frobe, and Jacppo Nummilavin

2. Nevada Battleborn

Preseason Rank: 2
Record: 43-22-1 for 87
First Round Matchup: St. Louis Scarecrows
The Battleborn had an atomic start to the season with an insane unbeaten streak to start, but have tapered off a bit. This might be a good thing as it has allowed the team to refocus their energy and get ready for a run in the playoffs. As the team with the highest ratings in the league, they are looking to capitalize with the Four Star Cup at the end of a pretty historic season for the team.
Top Performers: Literally Wizard, Connor Simard, Jim Wieners, Gwendolyn Telenn, and Tomas Suchanek
Dark Horses: Jordan Bamford, Jeyeff Effo, and Yuri Boyka III

3. Regina Elk Elk

Preseason Rank: 5
Record: 41-24-1
First Round Matchup: Anchorage Armada
With rumors around ownership of the team circling after allegations of the origin of their ice, the on ice product of the Elk is firing on all cylinders and in what was a wide open Northern Conference, the Elk pulled ahead to win the Conference. The Elk easily had the best plus minus in the North with +69 (nice) and that was very much thanks to their defense and their stone wall in the net in Grant Berd.
Top Performers: Bean Beanman Jr, Mary Hollywood, Journey Man, Stavros Kondos, and Grant Berd
Dark Horses: Sam Quintilio, Inge Baardsen, Violet Stoica, Hades, and Jon Garfield

4. Ottawa Highlanders

Preseason Rank: 15
Record: 38-23-5 for 81 points
First Round Matchup: Colorado Raptors
The Highlanders have usurped San Diego’s place as the top expansion team of this season as they have shot themselves out of a cannon. While they technically had a lesser goal differential than the Falcons, I am putting more stock in their offensive capabilities and their better/more well rounded record at home and away games. However, they will have their hands full trying to face off against the Raptors, who were not far away in the standings.
Top Performers: Pique Boo, Hockey Player, Benji Hockiwi, Demir Bellona, and Bishop Van Apeldoorn
Dark Horses: Florian Hascek, Easton Schaffer, Bohdi Echo, and Peyton Campeau

5. Detroit Falcons Falcons

Preseason Rank: 14
Record: 38-23-5 for 81 points
First Round Matchup: Carolina Kraken
The Falcons have blown away all expectations for this season and a lot of that comes to their fantastic defensive play, having the second fewest goals against in the league.
The main reason that I have the Falcons below the team they tied in the standings is that the Falcons have struggled with winning close games, with very few wins in overtime compared to the Highlanders, but in all honesty, I do not see a huge difference between the two teams and if they do end up meeting, I think it would be a coin flip. However, they will not be facing each other in the first round.
Top Performers: Teemu Salami, Brayden Point, Anastasia Soderstrom, and Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen
Dark Horses: Theo Kane, Jeffrey Bjellend, Elliot Alderson, Max Kielinen, and MAverick Reynolds

6. Colorado Raptors Raptors

Preseason Rank: 7
Record: 33-26-7 for 73 points
First Round Matchup: Ottawa Highlanders
The Raptors being the away team and technically the underdog in this first round is a bit of a disservice to how their year went. They played right around their expectations in a minor rebuilding year and would have been 3rd if they were in the North. Instead, they sit in fifth in the south and have to play the very hot Highlanders. If they can survive the Highlanders, I think they could take the fight to just about anyone in the league. As a recent Cup Winner, never count this team out.
Top Performers: Nathangus McExplosion, Andrade La Sombra, Baron Samedi, Zeus Storm, Chuff D’Lee, and Herman Stahl
Dark Horses: Hvaik, Trent Wiseman, Pinli Switchbang, Raw Cheese McPickle, and Kral King

7. Vancouver Whalers Whalers

Preseason Rank: 4
Record: 35-27-4 for 74 points
First Round Matchup: Yukon Malamutes
The Whalers finished the season a little lower than they would have liked, but they still were top 2 in their embattled conference, leading the very tight pack of teams in the North. I truly have no idea how the North is going to turn out this playoffs with very close standings from 2-7 and Vancouver will face off against the scrappy dogs from Yukon. That being said Atlason wasted no time making his name known in his new home of Vancouver, instantly leading the team. With plenty of weapons, these mammal finders are still top tier threats to come out of the North.
Top Performers: Olafur Atlason, NoNo Jo, Niclas Wastlund, MattyJ, Bris Jryant, Andy Lammers, and Galton Woggins
Dark Horses: Groaty Bronson, Robo Sven, Tank Sharksy, and Roman Jalopski

8. Quebec City Citadelles

Preseason Rank: 8
Record: 35-10-1 for 71 points
First Round Matchup: Newfoundland Berserkers
Quebec City took a big step back from their three seasons of dominance with the aging out of their star players and most of their team, but they still managed to be number 3 in the North with smart new additions and steady performances from their remaining veterans. No one was expecting them to light the world on fire for a fourth straight season, but now these Owls might be able to sneak up on their prey. However, the North is a bloodthirsty battleground this season and there are very few sure things in this conference. The Owls will need to be on alert for their own first round matchup against the slumbering Newfoundland.
Top Performers: Wyatt King, 3WW Wingmate-Roc, Anna Skovgaard, Nor Ge, Peter, Song Ju-gong
Dark Horses: Supah Dupah, Brock Jameson, Anatolyi Tarasov, Frederick Gronlund, Andrea Morandi, and Come O’Dirga

9. Kelowna Knights Knights

Preseason Rank: 13
Record: 33-31-2 for 68 points
First Round Matchup: Great Falls Grizzlies
Wait, Kelowna is high up on this list? Yeah, absolutely, as this team has been able to string together a very impressive season with a very young team. They finished two games above .500 and had a positive goal differential and boasted a fantastic record in extra time situations. For this reason and since the North is extremely jam picked, I think Kelowna will end up with a possible run this playoffs.
Top Performers: Savva Kirik, Mark Jagerson, Gino Fortezzo, Ivan Godinez, and Chuck Chunky
Dark Horses: Pohler Beargeron (the bum), Jennifer Huh, No This is Patrick, Cyrus the Virus, and Harry Fairchild

10. Great Falls Grizzlies

Preseason Rank: 12
Record: 30-27-9 for 69 points (nice)
First Round Matchup: Kelowna Knights
The Grizzlies were right in the middle of the north this season and I am ranking them below their opponents in this list despite them finishing above them in the playoffs. What really pushed the Bears beneath the Knights is that the Bears only beat the Knights by one point and got nine of their points LOSING overtime games. Kelowna did come out on top in the season’s series as well, but I am calling Elvar Gil-Galad as the X factor for their team this season.
Top Performers: WinderBread, Thomas Hudson, James Howlett, Elvar Gil-Galad, and AT-AT Wolker
Dark Horses: Jackass Pants, Marian Hanak, Swan Ronson, and Dave Bardizz

11. Carolina Kraken Kraken

Preseason Rank: 3
Record: 30-28-8 for 68 points
First Round Matchup: Detroit Falcons
In a stacked conference, finishing a few wins above .500 would normally be commended, but the Kraken finished well below their season’s expectations. The only major difference that has kept the Kraken out from being the top is also their biggest strength. They have always operated in low scoring games this season. If they can keep themselves in close games against Detroit, they very much could have an opportunity to pull off an upset. After all, sins of the regular season can be washed away by a great playoff run.
Top Performers: Swedish Chef, Jack Keigan, Max Belcher, Mason remy, and Ongo Gablogian
Dark Horses: Olivija Agate, Jamie Fraser, LiMu Emu, Leighton Oligny, and Romeo McCatster

12. Newfoundland Berserkers

Preseason Rank: 11
Record: 30-31-5 for 65 points
First Round Matchup: Quebec City Citadelles
Newfoundland finished right where we sort of thought they would, after being pushed into a rebuild. Still, despite being this far down the list, they only finished one game below .500 as they even had 5 overtime losses. As part of the very packed middle of the North. Quebec has the edge in the season’s series, but the Berserkers have won two. With the opportunity to play once again against their rivals from last season, this should be a fun storyline matchup more than anything and could present yet another upset opportunity.
Top Performers: Jason Warwaha, Alexel Kamensky, Eric Vanderberg Jr, and Launchpad McQuack
Dark Horses: TheGreatOne, Joe Degen, Jett Labyrinth, Slowpoke, and Connor McDusty

13. Yukon Malamutes

Preseason Rank: 6
Record: 29-33-4 for 62 points
First Round Matchup: Vancouver Whalers
Yukon had a tough season yet again, especially when they were on top of the North for a bit, but went a little cold. Their plus minus was on the lower end, but they are still in the very thick middle pack of the northern conference. When it comes to facing Vancouver, whom they were only 12 points back of in the regular season, Yukon did win the most recent game between them and the Whalers, but the rest of the series has gone to Vancouver. That said, this could be an interesting matchup with the Sled Dogs not being too far down in terms of win loss record.
Top Performers: Slava-Ukraini Heroyam-Slava, Elly Snow-Leopard, McLovin, and Phemeia McLaughlin
Dark Horses: Ylib Kove, Hugo Spycher, James Hogan, Bouch Bomb and Dexter Harrison Jr.

14. St. Louis Scarecrows

Preseason Rank: 10
Record: 22-42-2 for 46 points
First Round Matchup: Nevada Battleborn
We predicted big things for the Scarecrow this season, but they did not really live up to the hype. They struggled with keeping the puck out of their own net and had the third fewest points scored for. The Battleborn went undefeated against the Scarecrows this season, making this matchup even harder for St. Louis.
Top Performers: Alexa Johansen, Emile Dionne, Jack Booth, and James Madison
Dark Horses: Scar Bealey, Supreme Dalek, Matthias, Louis Belanger

15. Anchorage Armada Armada

Preseason Rank: 9
Record: 22-41-3 for 47 points
First Round Matchup: Regina Elk
The Armada had a relatively disappointing season, finishing far below where they were projected to in the standings and have thus drawn the top ranked Timber. With the worst plus minus in the Conference at -81, the Armada will have their hands full trying to beat Maine as they also have the least amount of goals in this regular season, being the only ones below 200 scored. The Elk and the Armada have faced each other more than a few times this season and the Armada has won only the first meeting.
Top Performers: Jesus Murphy, Sebastien Levesque, Jefferson Steelflex, and Lyle Odelein IV
Dark Horses: Squilliam Fancyson, Sawyer Keenin, and Arseniy Vitaliy

16. San Diego Tidal Tidal

Preseason Rank: 16
Record: 21-44-1 for 43 points
First Round Matchup: Maine Timber
The Tidal have regressed a bit this season after blowing away all expectations last season. They are still developing, but their first round opponent in this playoffs is looking to end any opportunity for them to get a long playoff experience this time around. However, the Tidal have often shown an ability to punch above their weight class. That being said, the Tidal have not beaten the Timber this season, as the Timber have seemingly been using the Tidal as target practice. The Tidal have the inverse of the Timber in plus minus with a -126 compared the Maine’s +126.
Top Performers: Gina Pinard, Caper Poirot, and Marko Kivimaki
Dark Horses: Sam Volta, Klims Jevsejevs, and Trent Rivera

That is all for the power rankings until the preseason so good luck to all the teams and may the odds be ever in your favor! Feel free to discuss down below and tell me how I am wrong. I look forward to some great upsets!

WC: 2195