In a thrilling weekend of junior hockey, teams made significant advances in the SJHL Playoffs, while others faced potential elimination. The Battlefords North Stars emerged victorious, claiming their spot in the next round.
Battlefords North Stars Eliminate Melfort Mustangs
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Battlefords North Stars defeated the Melfort Mustangs 4-3 in a double-overtime Game 5. Linken Fisher scored the decisive goal just 3:51 into the second overtime.
Veteran player Josh Knittig played a pivotal role, scoring two goals and providing an assist. Goaltender Spencer Michnik also contributed significantly, making 41 saves. Austin Shepherd was a standout for the Mustangs, registering a goal and an assist in what marked the end of Melfort’s impressive playoff streak.
This victory allowed the North Stars to eliminate Melfort, which had previously won six consecutive playoff rounds. Interestingly, Battlefords was the last team to knock Melfort out of the playoffs, doing so on April 5, 2023.
Weyburn Red Wings Take Lead Over Nipawin Hawks
In a separate showdown, the Weyburn Red Wings dominated the Nipawin Hawks with a score of 6-1 in Game 5. The Red Wings capitalized on their power play, scoring five times while goaltender Joey Rocha made 38 saves to secure the win.
Lucas Schmid was instrumental in this victory, recording three assists. With this win, Weyburn now leads the series 3-2.
Yorkton Terriers Edge Out Melville Millionaires
Meanwhile, the Yorkton Terriers moved closer to the next round by defeating the Melville Millionaires 4-1. Tyler Palin netted the first-period power-play goal that secured the win for the Terriers.
Yorkton showcased a balanced offense with contributions from four different players. Goaltender Callum Creig made 20 saves, solidifying Yorkton’s lead in the series at 3-2.
Upcoming Games and Series Status
Two critical Game 6 matches are scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2026:
- Nipawin Hawks at Weyburn Red Wings, 7:00 P.M. ST
- Yorkton Terriers at Melville Millionaires, 7:00 P.M. ST
Series Standings Summary
| Matchup | Series Status |
|---|---|
| Flin Flon vs. Estevan | Bombers win series 4-0 |
| Yorkton vs. Melville | Terriers lead series 3-2 |
| Battlefords vs. Melfort | North Stars win series 4-1 |
| Nipawin vs. Weyburn | Red Wings lead series 3-2 |
Fans can stay updated on all playoff action by following SJHL on various social media platforms and subscribing to FloHockey for live broadcasts. Exciting updates are expected, so be sure to tune in!
