By Gary Moskalyk
Thunder Bay, ON – The SIJHL is 88 games into its 189-game 2022-23 regular season. Two teams. Kam River and Wisconsin have 27 games under their belts–half of their 54-game schedule. Thunder Bay has just 22 games.
The expansion Sioux Lookout Bombers have made a big splash. The Bombers are getting good attendance and playing even better hockey. Their 15-11-0 record, +23 goal differential has them in third place, three points back of Dryden.
Geoff Walker took over from Matt Valley as coach of the first place Fighting Walleye in November, and Tyler Miller is at the helm of the last place Fort Frances Lakers after a 5-19 start under Paul MacLean.
Four teams: Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Thunder Bay are jostling for second through fifth place in the league.
What follows is a Christmas statistical snapshot of the SIJHL.
Wins 88, losses 76, Overtime Losses 7, Shootout losses 5, Points 188.
Overall winning percentage .534.
Total goals 647.
Goals for per game per team 3.68. Shutouts 9.
League penalty minutes 3,930. Average penalty minutes per team per game 22.33.
Powerplay opportunities 880. Powerplay goals 146. Shorthanded goals 32. Average powerplay 16.6%. Average penalty kill 83.4%.
Kam River enters the break with five-game winning streak. Dryden is undefeated in five. Fort Frances is on a five-game losing streak. The Walleye are 9-1-0 in their last 10.
Over the next few weeks team “report cards” with coach’s comments will be posted.
If you’re reading this, you’re a dedicated fan. If you haven’t purchased SIJHL.tv yet, give it a thought. Treat yourself.
Next game is January 5th.
Have a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!