There are 14 games remaining in the 2025/26 regular season for the Innovex Estevan Bears. While the team is in a great position to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season, nothing has been secured yet.
This past weekend, the dates for the 2026 playoffs were announced as follows:
- Round 1 (quarterfinals) features the top eight teams in the league (1v8; 2v7; 3v6; 4v5)
- Feb. 28 to March 8
- Best of five series
- Round 2 (semifinals)
- March 10-18
- Best of five series
- Round 3 (Championship Final)
- March 20-28
- Best of five series
The Telus Cup West is already set for Regina from April 2-5, meaning two teams from the SMAAAHL will qualify for the regional tournament, with the winner advancing to the Telus Cup national tourney in Peterborough from April 20-26.
As of January 12th, the Bears sit 5th overall in the league standings with 35 points:
Regina and Moose Jaw appear to be settled in the 1-2 positions. The Bears still have an outside chance at 3rd overall. But the most realistic chance for the Bears to hold home-ice advantage in the quarterfinal round is the 4th overall spot, as they sit 4 points behind the Blazers but with a game in hand.
However, the Bears will need to continue to play well to ensure they make the playoffs. The Bears are 9 points clear of the Contacts and Mintos, so with a strong finish to January they could almost secure a playoff spot before the final month of the season.
Of the Bears’ final 14 games, 9 of them will be played on home ice. Their remaining games are against Battlefords (4), Prince Albert (3), Moose Jaw (2), Tisdale (2), and Warman/Yorkton/Notre Dame (1 each).
