The Prince Albert Timberjaks have four games left in the regular season to try and secure the fifth and final playoff spot in the PJHL's Bob Dybvig (North) Division. Here, the Jaks are seen celebrating a goal against the Regina Capitals at the Northern Regional Rec Centre in Buckland on Dec. 6, 2025. (Image Credit: Prairie Junior Hockey League/Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

Playoff push

Timberjaks eyeing final playoff spot as race with Carrot River grows tighter

Feb 12, 2026 | 8:01 AM

The Prince Albert Timberjaks are looking to claim the final playoff spot in the Bob Dybvig (North) Division standings as the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) inches closer to the postseason. 

It’s a close race for the last ticket to the playoffs between the Jaks and the Carrot River Outback Thunder, who are tied in the standings at 30 points each. While Carrot River has two games to try and put themselves in a better spot to clinch, P.A. has double the chances as they got four games left on their regular season schedule. 

How the PJHL stands as of Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Image Credit: Screenshot/PJHL)

Those four games will be played over the next six days, where Timberjaks head coach and general manager Stef Corfmat said there no more room for excuses. 

“The ball’s in our court, so we definitely got to come to play.” 

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Three of those four games also come on the road, beginning on Thursday night when P.A. heads to Saskatoon to face the North Division best Westleys. That will be followed by an all-important trip to Carrot River the following night on Friday, and the clubs final regular season home game on Sunday also against the Westleys. The last game of the year is a rescheduled contest from earlier in the season that sees the Timberjaks trek to Martensville to square off with the Chiefs. 

The Westleys and Chiefs are in a four-way tie for first place in the north, alongside the Saskatoon Royals and Saskatoon Quakers, all of whom are separated by just two points.  

Of those four games, Corfmat said one of them holds much more meaning than the rest. 

“That Carrot River game is a must win. If you don’t, then you got to win two more, possibly even three.” 

A key component for the team down the stretch will be Keethan Isbister, who has 20 points (12g-8a) in just 10 out of 11 games since returning in January from starting the season in B.C. Another piece is in Gareg Painter, who was recently named the North Division Player of the Month. Painter had seven points (4g-3a) in the month of January and currently sits third in team scoring with 28 points (18g-10a). 

“Boy, he’s offensively gifted,” said Corfmat on Painter. “He’s got a great shot, he controls the power play, and he can play in both ends of the rink. There’s not too many guys that can skate with him in the league.” 

If the Timberjaks clinch a spot in this year’s playoffs, it will be the third time in their three year history.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com