I hope you are all having a great Easter long weekend. I know I am, and during that time I was able to crank out a mid-season report card for the SMJHL on how each team is doing. We will run down the list giving a team’s overall performance, and general breakdown of their forwards, defense, and goaltending.

Great Falls Grizzlies: B+
23-8-1
Forwards: B
The group of forwards have done well to support the team, with two forwards putting up above point per game pace (James Dion, Loosh O’Sullivan). With the remaining top two lines putting up very respectable numbers of 20+ points through 32 games.

Defense: A+
The Strength of the Grizzlies so far fall on their defense, only allowing an average of 23 shots per game and a 82.6% penalty kill. The defense has also put up a decent amount of points with every defender in the double digits and no one on defense have a negative +/- rating.

Goaltending: B-
I am not sure where to put goaltending. Bandit Heeler has been playing below his usual standards with a .879 save% through 24 games. CJ Sparks has been playing above expectations with a .925 save% through 7 games. I am guessing with the minimal shots Bandit is facing he is only seeing a higher quality of shot and this is skewing his stats.

The Great Falls Grizzlies have performed well in a defense first team. They keep opponent’s chances to a minimum, while putting up decent offensive numbers. It looks like their goal is to suffocate opposing forwards and allow them only the perfect chance score or nothing at all.
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Colorado Raptors: A-
23-8-0
Forwards: A+
With four forwards at a point per game pace or better Colorado is doing extremely well in this area of their game (Erik Bergmark, Adrian O'Rugg, James Ward-Prowse, Shorsey Wobet). Leading the group is Erik Bergmark with 53 points in 31 games. And they have 4 more forwards with over 20 points so far this season.

Defense: B
Their defense has done a great job so far limiting the opposition to 27+ shots per game and a good 79.8% penalty kill. The only person on the whole team with a negative rating is defender Peter Potamus with a -2 rating. Leading the team in blocked shots (52) and ratio of give aways (2) to take aways (27) is Hugh Manius.

Goaltending: A-
Grzegorz Brzeczyszczykiewicz leads their goalies in games played (22) GAA (2.54) and save% (.908) which are good but not great. The rookie Scarry Jerry is doing fine for a rookie season with a 3.06 GAA and a .881 save%. Grezegorz also owns the second best goals saved above average with a 10.90 rating.

Raptors are utilizing their outstanding offense to help their defense by controlling the game and overwhelming their opponents with goals. Grzegorz has really stepped up and kept the Raptors in most games giving them a chance to outscore opponents for the win.
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Newfoundland Berserkers: A
22-12-1
Forwards: B-
Two forwards with over a point per game pace with every forward (but one) scoring 20 or more points so far in the season. John Hopoate leads the pack with 44 points in 35 games, Matiss Ozolinish leads his team with 25 goals so far. They have the lowest powerplay percentage so far with 19.1% which may be the Achilles Heel to this forward group.

Defense: A-
While the forwards offer a low powerplay percent, the penalty kill is doing very well with 77.2% the lowest so far among the top 3 teams. The do allow 29.6 shots on average per game, which is well above average. Once again only one player has a negative rating it is on defense with -7 (Hingle McCringleberry).

Goaltending: A+
The Newfoundland Berserkers own the league’s best goalie so far this year, Tummy Hurts. Tummy leads the league in shutouts (3), for starting netminders save% .915, and the best Goals saved above average 11.56! Back up Rhett Carpet has been average and done the job anyone could ask for a backup 3.61 GAA and .882 save%

Overall, this team is winning games on the back of their goalie Tummy Hurts, as he has provided their team a chance to win every game no matter the opponent. The rest of the team has provided good support with above average play, but a good goalie has allowed them to shine and make up for any defensive or offensive laps providing perhaps a higher ranking then they would collect on almost any other team.
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Maine Timber: B+
22-8-1
Forwards: A+
Peter Tingle leads this team with 44 points through 31 games, but he is followed by 3 others pacing well above a point per game (Daimen Hirano, Edzus Ozolins, Barefoot Sugar) and one more just behind with 30 points in 31 games (Patrice Bergeron). 4 more forwards have a 20 point pace so far just leaving one that has been struggling.

Defense: A
26.81 shot per game on average and a 73.1% penalty kill! With every defender having more takeaways then give aways (a first so far). J-rock leads the defense with 20 points so far this season. If there is one knock to the defense it has 2 players in the negative ratings, one being a rookie, so as a whole they are doing very well.

Goaltending: C+
This may be a case of lack of shots only giving up quality opportunities as both goalies are sub .900 save%. Brent Turnerson leads the team with 24 games, 2.99 GAA and .885 save%. Jaxon Markstrom an average 3.49 GAA with a .873 save %.

The Timber have an excellent all-around team with no real weak points. Yes you could say the goalies stats are average and so their grades reflect that; but I believe if the goalies saw more trash shots they would have a better save percentage.
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Detroit Falcons: B-
19-10-1
Forwards: A+
When your entire top 6 is scoring at a point per game or better you get an A+ rating. The team is lead by 4 Chainz (I love this name by the way) with 40 points. Billy Herrington, Bastien Primeau, Tobias Wrexks, Khris Ray-Thiago, Aurora Azjha are the other forwards. The other three forwards are all in the double digits as well, so a solid effort top to bottom.

Defense: B-
The Defense is lead by Nash Topalo in points (28 through 30 games), and Nathan Meagher in the defensive zone (107 blocked shots). With 32 shots per game on average and 79.2% penalty kill the defense has done better then most teams. With only one defender as a negative (+/-) they are doing well during 5on5 play.

Goaltending: C+
Goaltending is average, both goalies playing sub .900 save% and above 3.00 GAA. Jeff Newman is the leader with 25 games and a .887% with a 3.42 GAA. Followed by Swiss Cheese with a .875% and a 4.11 GAA. They could have been rated lower, but Newman also owns a pair of shutouts which is impressive.

Overall this team relies on their monster forwards to carry the team. The defense is above average. Unfortunately Goaltending may be the weak spot as their numbers are average for both goalies with the shutout as the standouts that separate them from some of the other struggling goalies.
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Nevada Battleborn: A-
17-8-5
Forwards: B
The Battleborn are extremely top heavy in this department. They have three forwards that have over 40 points in 30 games. After those three the talent to score among forwards dives. Bender Junior leads the team with 50 points, followed by Alexis Ivanova and Mr. Gray T White with 43 and 41 respectively.

Defense: A+
OK this may be unfair. Their defense has allows 26 shots per game on average with an 84.8% penalty kill, which is fantastic. But what really separates them 3 defenders have 20 or more points, the rest are all double digits! EVERY SINGLE DEFENDER is a positive in a +/- rating. The teams defense leads by offense.

Goalies: B+
Both goalies have 2 shutouts this season, which is kind of ridiculous. Luka Nogoalov leads with 23 games, a 2.4 GAA and a .904 save%. Dr. Hugh Orson, has looked respectable as a back up with a 3.09 GAA and a .889 save%. An additional note, they are the only team so far that has not needed to change goalies part way through a game.

Overall the Battleborn appear to be a top caliber team and potentially only fell this low in the standings because of bad luck playing tight games against other opponents. If this keeps up they will likely climb higher before the season is through.
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Kelowna Knights: B-
17-12-2
Forwards: C
James Lutz leads the Knights and he is the only forward scoring at a point per game pace with 31 points in 31 games. The Knights do have 7 others scoring at 20 points or more with Wonada Jagrs right behind Jamie with 30 points. Unfortunately a sub 30 shots per game could be what is really holding the Knights back.

Defense: B+
Dusty Wilson has become the leader on the defense, scoring 22 points, and a +15 rating. Defensively the Knights have relied on Rikaad Metzller to keep things clean in their own zone, leading the defense in short handed ice time and blocked shots (73). The Knights have managed to keep teams to 25.55 shot on average and 79.5 penalty kill.

Goalie: B+
This is about as even as you are going to get between goalies. Sea Jebus has played 17 games, 2 shutouts, 2.6 GAA with 8.98 save%. Tibuk Soonkia has played 14 games 2 shutouts, 2.34 GAA with a .903 save%. Both Goalies have been playing well and give the Knights a chance to win any game.

The Knights could make a few tweaks and they could be competing with the top teams. Right now they are an above average team that relies on their defense to keep opponents in check and score opportune goals.
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Vancouver Whalers: C
16-14-3
Forwards: C+
This one was tough. They have no one that is at a point per game pace, but EVERY forward has at least 20 points this season. Looking into their offensive output and it makes a little more sense, once again below 30 shots per game (29.09 on average) and a powerplay of 18.3 %, they are making the most of every opportunity.

Defense: C-
The defense has allowed 36 shot per game on average with a 68.1% penalty kill they have not been able to stop opponents as they break into their own zone. This could be expected from such a young team, and we will need to see how they continue to develop as the season goes along. Half of their Defense own a negative (+/-)

Goalie: C
Some teams have had their goalies bail them out to boost their stats, unfortunately for Vancouver this has not been the case. Noah Charlevoix has been above average with a 3.7 GAA and a .892 save% playing the lions share (30 games) and Sam Conroy has a 5.76 GAA with a .860 save%.

Hey this is mostly a very young team; they are going to have a lot of growing pains and that is to be expected. They are in a playoff position with a much younger roster then most teams on this list. The future is bright in Vancouver, the present will be stormy waters.
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Yukon Malamute: C+
12-15-7
Forwards: C-
This is almost the first D, they have averaged 27.18 shots on goal per game with a 12.4% powerplay. Their leading scorer is Theodre Svatos with 29 points, also he is a rookie. No player is at a point per game pace, but they have 6 with 20 or more points.

Defense: B
Their team effort on defense has been really good, only allowing 28.74 shots per game and a 84.3% penalty kill! Their rating would be higher but, only one defender has a positive +/- rating. Topping it off not a lot of defensive work can be shown with low numbers in blocked shots, give aways vs take aways and hits among defenders.

Goalie: C+
It may be time to give the reigns to Ray Burton, between their two goalies Ray has been superior playing in far fewer games. In 14 games Ray owns 6-4-3 record with a 2.63 GAA and a .901 save%. Asher Gibbons has been the starter playing 21 games 6-11-4 record with a 3.64 GAA and a .878 save%.

A lot to unpack here. Their forwards have perhaps under performed and are being lead by a rookie they acquired in a trade. Their defense has performed well in keeping opponents from their net but with the lack of offensive support their stats could be lower. Their goalies have been amazing for a back up and below desired for a starter. I am very interested to see what the second half brings for the Malamutes.
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Carolina Kraken: B
14-17-2
Forwards: A-
Three forwards scoring at above a point per game pace, Derek Martin (44), Timo Lambert (41), Johnny Wagner-Svenson (37) through 33 games. They own a rookie forward with 29 points through 33 games and an additional 3 forwards with 20+ points so far in this season. The forwards have been doing their job for the Kraken.

Defenese: C+
Andy Ceylon has been their lock down defender, with the highest short handed time on the ice, best take aways (30) vs give aways (7), most hits by a defenseman on this team (75) and most blocked shots (49). These totals are good but not great, it reflects the team effort allowing 30.67 shots per game and 72.1% penalty kill.

Goaltending: C
Elias Adelberg has been the starting goalie and owns 2 shutouts but a GAA of 3.46 and a .889 save%, a little low for a starter in the last two categories. He has also played in 29 of the 33 games this season. Apollo Peed has shown a little better with a 2.32 GAA and a .913 save%, playing in 9 of the 33 games this season.

It seems to be a race to who can score 4 goals first, the Kraken or their opponents as they win by offense. Their defense and goaltending is average so they need their forwards to be great to win hockey games.
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Regina Elks: C+
13-16-2
Forwards: C+
The Elk has 2 forwards with a point per game pace, Jae Hyuk Choi (32) and Gritty McGritterson (31) in 31 games. They have an additional 4 forwards with 20 or more points so far this season. Which on the surface looks decent, but when you look at shots per game (25.16) and powerplay (18.7%) both are on the lower side of the league, and it could be tough to maintain those scoring numbers.

Defense: B
Their entire Defense is in the lower half of scoring for the Elks (a first so far), most teams have one or two defenders pushing into the top half of a team’s scoring. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as they have some very good defensive defensemen. Willow Soderbreg-Snooks stands out with a ridiculous 116 blocked shots, 20 take aways to 4 give aways. An 80.5% penalty kill is really good, but 31.03 shots allowed is average maybe a bit below.

Goalies: C+
Another case of very similar goaltending, Andre Santiago 18 games, 3.15 GAA, 2 shutouts, .892 save% (above average). Ally Mathieson 17 games, 3.46 GAA, 0 shutouts, .893 save%. (average). While both goalies are not quite hitting the targeted 3.00 GAA or better and a .900 save% or better they are both challenging it.

The Elks are so close to pushing for a top spot in the league. If they can find a way to get more offense I the second half of the season they could be a top tier team in this league. They have the goaltending and a good defense, they just do not spend enough time in the opponent’s zone, well not enough shots at least.
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Quebec City Citadelles: C
12-19-2
Forwrads: C-
The Quebec City Citadelles do not have a forward at a point per game pace, they are close with 2 sitting at 30 points in 33 games (Viktor Hargreeves and Nathan Cormier). They have an additional 3 forwards at 20+ points this season. Their shots per game is on the lower side 29.67, but their powerplay is solid 23.0%.

Defense: C
I feel for their defense, I believe they are better then what is on paper here. Still they only have on defender with a positive raiting (+6), Lea Cranberry. Elena Maximov is a star in this league with 29 points, playing in all situations, laying out 72 hits, with 18 take aways (vs 7 give aways). They give up a fair number of shots 34.58 per game, but their penalty kill is 93.7%!

Goalies: C
Walter Sobchak has been average for the league standards 3.51 GAA and a save% of .895, just below the key stats most starting goalies are looking to achieve. The rookie Net Man has had a rougher go 4.26 GAA and a .882 save%, if the GAA was a little higher he would be on pace with most backups in the league.

Overall this can’t be the season the Citadelles had envisioned after winning the Four Star Cup. There is still hope though they have been turning their season around the last few weeks, and they are still in a playoff spot. Currently they are just an average team, but if they can find their offensive footing that could change in a hurry.
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St. Louis Scarecrows: D+
8-19-4
Forwards: D-
The St. Louis Scarecrows are struggling on offense right now, they only have two forwards that have 20 or more points one being a rookie (Dominik Winters, 24, Lasse Zeigler, 21). They manage to put 27.26 shots on net per game and a powerplay of 18.8% success. Topping it off there is one player on their entire roster with a positive rating.

Defense: C
Rookie Marshall Madden has been asked to do a lot as a rookie and plays a roll in every situation, he leads all defenders with 18 points. On the other side of their defense David Doug has been an anchor for the team working the penalty kill, a ton of blocked shots (105), unfortunately he leads the team with the worst -15 rating. They allow 30.26 shots per game and a decent 79.1% penalty kill.

Goalie: C+
Once again two very similar, stat wise, goalies sharing the crease. Kay Lee 18 games, 3.31 GAA, 0 shutouts, .888 save%. Kyle Baretto 14 games, 3.33 GAA, 2 shutouts, .888 save%. It feels like the scarecrows are just waiting for one of their goalies to take that next step and become a bit better then average.

The Scarecrows have some excellent rookies coming in, but they need more from their veterans if they have any hope to make the playoffs this season. They have been getting above average goaltending and the defense as a whole hasn’t been bad, it really falls on the offense to find their game before it is too late.
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Anchorage Armada: F
7-26-2
Forwards: F
The wheels have fallen off for the offense in Anchorage. They have 23.23 shots per game (league low) and a 15.4% powerplay success (second last). Two forwards are above 20 points (Oskar Scholz 22, Tony Soprano 22) but they both own a greater then -30 rating. In fact the entire offence has a greater then -20 rating with the highest topping out at -44.

Defense: F
This has been a rough season for Anchorage, the team has allowed a league high 41.29 shots per game. They also own a well below average 72.1% penalty kill. Despite all of this negative they have a lot of defenders that own a better take away to give away. Unfortunately, there isn’t one player without a double digit negative rating.

Goalie: C-
Their goalies must have sore backs, they have been carrying this team to a few wins this season. George Walsh and Peter Lasma have terrible GAAs 5.03 and 4.75 respectively, but they also own decent save% (based on how badly the Armada have been out played) .878 and .881 respectively.

I would never say a season is over with 50% of it remaining but the Armada are going to need more out of their forwards and defense if they are going to claw back into a playoff position. This has been a failure on almost all fronts.