(-) 1st – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 35-9-2-1
Impressive Player: Forward Dawson Milliken – 2 goals, 1 assist
Even with both their regular goaltenders unavailable, the Pistons continued to roll as they’ve pushed their winning streak to an impressive 8 games. With one more win, the Pistons will clinch the East Division but their sights are set on the overall league standings. Steinbach earned at least a point in all but one game in the month of February.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Freeze, Friday vs Steelers, Saturday @ Steelers
(-) 2nd – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 34-11-1
Impressive Player: Defenceman Colby Jaquet – 3 assists
Dauphin continues to roll, putting more distance between themselves and the rest of their division. They’ve really opened a gap between themselves and second place. They haven’t gotten complacent though. They’ve surged through February winning 9 of 10 and have eyes on top spot in the MJHL.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Titans, Friday @ Titans, Saturday vs Titans
(+1) 3rd – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 24-19-4
Impressive Player: Forward Carson Buydens – 2 goals, 1 assist
Despite an up and down first half of the month, the Oil Caps have surged lately and have strengthened their position in the playoff race. They have also proven they should be considered a legit threat once the playoffs roll around. Virden has searched for consistency all year and maybe have found it just at the right time. Second place in the West is also a very real possibility with a home heavy rest of schedule.
Up Next: Thursday vs Wolverines, Friday @ Wolverines, Sunday vs Wolverines, Tuesday vs Kings
(-1) 4th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 29-16-2
Impressive Player: Forward Kolten Shindle – 5 goals, 4 assists
Blowout win aside, losing 5 of their last six is not exactly how the Wolverines drew up going into the final month of the season. They can turn it around and have shown they can score in bunches, so they’re never out of any game. They need to build some positives and not better way than setting the tone against a possible round one opponent.
Up Next: Thursday vs Wolverines, Friday @ Wolverines, Sunday vs Wolverines, Tuesday @ Titans
(+2) 5th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 2-0-1
Overall: 27-16-1-2
Impressive Player: Defenceman Nick Dobson – 1 goal, 2 assists
Not exactly how they drew it up necessarily, but no one asks how, they just see the Flyers in second place in the division and well within striking distance of third overall in the league. Earning points in five straight games will give the group confidence and with some key division games coming up, can cement them into home playoff dates.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Steelers, Friday vs Blues, Saturday @ Blues
(-1) 6th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 27-14-1-2
Impressive Player: Forward Ryan Botterill – 1 goal, 1 assist
A sizeable step back for the Terriers as they couldn’t sink their teeth into a playoff spot. Not yet, anyway. There’s still time but things don’t get any easier in March. They’ll need to step up and face the challenge together or risk watching Selkirk slowly pull away for good. Portage has talent and games in hand, but they can’t afford another winless weekend.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Blues, Friday vs Freeze, Saturday @ Freeze
(-1) 7th – Winning Blues
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 27-16-1-2
Impressive Player: Forward Micheal Tanchak – 1 assist
The injury bug has bitten the Blues in a big way. It’s not just raining on Winnipeg, it’s pouring. Losing three games in a row stings. Falling out of second place is not ideal. But, losing key players to injuries, that’s what hurts the Blues the most. Games against Winkler loom with a chance to return to the place they’ve held through most of the season. They have a chance, now they have to make the most of it.
Up Next: Wednesday @ Terriers, Friday @ Flyers, Saturday vs Flyers
(+2) 8th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 16-27-2-4
Impressive Player: Defenceman Cy Toth – 2 goals, 1 assist
A really impressive weekend for the Blizzard. It keeps their playoff hopes alive but even if they don’t make it, they can take what they’re doing and learning now into next season. A never-quit identity can translate to wins now and in the future. At this moment, all the Blizzard can do is keep winning and hope for a little bit of luck around them.
Up Next: Friday @ OCN, Saturday @ OCN, Tuesday @ Kings
(+3) 9th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 22-21-4-2
Impressive Player: Forward Cameron Hibbert – 5 goals, 1 assist
Darkness turned to light in a hurry for the Steelers. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat set them off on a tidy run where they’ve regained a foothold in playoff positioning. They know their work is far from done. A revenge set vs Steinbach awaits and those points could be huge as they keep being chased by the pesky Terriers. Selkirk is feeling good and will look for the ride to last a bit longer.
Up Next: Wednesday @ Flyers, Friday @ Pistons, Saturday vs Pistons
(-2) 10th- Neepawa Titans
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 18-21-3-5
Impressive Player: Forward Josh Romanyk – 1 goal
It’s good news vs bad news for the Titans. The bad news is, they lost a glorious chance to make a move up the standings. The good news is, they still have games in hand with that move up possible. More bad news as they face the top two teams in their division 7 times in March. The good news they should have no problems getting up for all seven of those games. Just find a way to win, doesn’t matter how.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Kings, Friday vs Kings, Saturday @ Kings
(-2) 11th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 21-23-1-4
Impressive Player: Defenceman Adam Rajsigl – 1 goal
It’s going to be a tight race to the finish line for the Stamps and unfortunately for them, they don’t hold their own fate in their hands. That chance slipped through their fingers. They can wrestle it back with a bounce-back effort but the Blizzard won’t just roll over. The Stamps have to be at their best or they’ll be beating themselves up all spring long watching, not participating in the playoffs.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Blizzard, Friday @ Blizzard, Saturday vs Blizzard
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 9-33-3
Impressive Player: Forward Dean Gorchynski – 2 goals
The Freeze battle and despite some lopsided looking scores, they’re often in games right up until a certain point and then they get kind of buried. There are enough flashes that show the Freeze will not just hand over wins. With 9 games in March, there are a lot of opportunities to play spoiler and ruin other teams’ day.
Up Next: Wednesday @ Pistons, Friday @ Terriers, Saturday vs Terriers
