1 – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
This week: 2-0-1
Overall: 24-1-1
Good teams respond when losing a game, even in overtime, but great teams answer back and make a statement. Niverville did one better than a statement, quieting any potential noise with one of the most dominating games in recent memory. Hard team to stop at the best of times, but that group with a little edge might be as close to impossible to catch.
Player Spotlight: Adam Vigfusson – 5 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th vs Portage, Dec. 13th vs Winkler, Dec. 14th @ WPG Blues, Dec. 17th @ Portage
2 – Portage Terriers (-)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 21-6-1
Not getting as much attention for their streak as they deserve, but doubt the group is all that worried. They continue to go out and handle their business. If they’re up early or down late, the hunger, the drive, the want to win is there. It goes up and down the lineup, and with two massive games against the only team they are chasing, look for them to find yet another level.
Player Spotlight: Drayden Uhrina – 2 goals, 5 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th @ Niverville, Dec. 13th @ Selkirk, Dec. 17th vs Niverville
3 – Steinbach Pistons (-)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 20-6-1
Beat the unbeatable team, but suffered an avoidable letdown by not being able to carry over the energy against a more desperate team. There are points in a season where a team can circle a game and say, ‘that is not us, and won’t be us again,’ now might be the time for this team.
Player Spotlight: Rory Gilmour – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th vs WPG Monarchs, Dec. 12th @ Northern Manitoba, Dec. 13th @ Swan Valley
4 – Winkler Flyers (-)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 14-10-1-2
Strong play has put them right around the playoff bubble for that final spot in the MGEU East. The way the scoring has improved, and the way their goaltending can step up, they’ve shown they have what it takes to be a heavyweight in the league. A big set of road games gives them the chance to sharpen their consistency.
Player Spotlight: William Lyons – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th @ Neepawa, Dec. 13th @ Niverville, Dec. 14th @ WPG Monarchs, Dec. 16th @ Selkirk
5 – Neepawa Titans (+1)
This week: 2-1
Overall: 14-12-0-1
Plugging away, the Titans are right in the battle for top spot in the MGEU West. Fast, hard to play against, and has the goaltending to frustrate opponents. It could be the first time in a long time that the team that leads a division has a negative goal differential, a stat that doesn’t seem to concern them, as they keep finding ways to bank points regardless.
Player Spotlight: Jack Clark – 3 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th vs Winkler, Dec. 13th @ Waywayseecappo, Dec. 14th vs Virden
6 – Dauphin Kings (-1)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 16-9-1
The homestand hasn’t gone as well as they would have hoped, but if they can pull it together, winning may help quiet some of the noise. Not playing their best, but still leading the division. Won’t want to hang their hat on that, but it says the group is not playing near their capabilities, and when they do, they’ll be back in the win column regularly.
Player Spotlight: Brody Wytinck – 1 goal in 1 game
Up Next: Dec. 10th vs Northern Manitoba, Dec. 12th vs Virden, Dec. 14th vs Waywayseecappo, Dec. 16th @ Northern Manitoba
7 – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+2)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 10-16-1-1
A back-and-forth game, both between and after the whistles, can be the force that pushes a team forward. The group has all the talent, and while they’re dealing with significant injuries, they’re not using it as an excuse. Looking for their first two-game win streak of the year, and it would be a jolt of confidence for a group that will get better as they get healthier.
Player Spotlight: Ryley Cyca – 4 assists in 1 game
Up Next: Dec. 11th vs Selkirk, Dec. 13th vs Neepawa, Dec. 14th @ Dauphin
8 – Virden Oil Capitals (-1)
This week: 1-2
Overall: 15-10
Ignoring the last game, the Oil Caps have been playing solid for a decent stretch. Had one of the top teams in the league against the ropes before being hampered by penalties. Won’t be happy with how many goals they’ve given up of late, but have a chance to get back on track with nothing but in-division opponents until Christmas.
Player Spotlight: Lucas Laramee – 2 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Dec. 12th @ Dauphin, Dec. 14th @ Neepawa
9- Winnipeg Blues (+2)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 9-12-2
Split a pair of games of late, and as disappointing as the losses may have been, responding with a massive road win in a tough building was impressive. Look for the team to try and build off that, and find their consistent level instead of going up or down based on who they are playing that night.
Player Spotlight: Brady Green – 2 goals, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Dec. 12th vs WPG Monarchs, Dec. 14th vs Niverville, Dec. 16th @ WPG Monarchs
10- Selkirk Steelers (+3)
This week: 1-1-1
Overall: 15-12-2
Refusing to just go quietly, the Steelers stepped up and pulled off a massive, much-needed team win on the road. Quality goaltending gives them a chance every game, but the group has bought into who they are, and they lean into it. Quick and feisty, they are a frustrating group to play against, which suits them just fine. Will need to keep that mentality when key players return from injury.
Player Spotlight: Carter Haney – 3 assists in 3 games.
Up Next: Dec. 11th @ Waywayseecappo, Dec. 13th vs Portage, Dec. 16th vs Winkler
11 – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-3)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 5-17-1-2
Finding ways to not only be competitive, but also pick up some wins. Scrappy, fast, finding scoring from different players, the Blizzard may not be rolling, but they are trending in the right direction. Every game they learn something, every game they grow. Keep taking steps in the right direction.
Player Spotlight: Owen Wilkinson – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Dec. 10th @ Dauphin, Dec. 12th vs Steinbach, Dec. 16th vs Dauphin
12 – Swan Valley Stampeders (-2)
This week: 0-0-0-1
Overall: 6-17-3-1
Frustrating loss at home, a place where they have had success, after getting out to a big lead, having to watch it slip away and then lose in a shootout. The loss is one thing, but having to sit and wait to play again may be even more maddening. How the team comes out in their next game, which is also at home, will tell a lot.
Player Spotlight: Cade Bolding – 1 goal, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Dec. 13th vs Steinbach
13 – Winnipeg Monarchs (-1)
This week: 0-1
Overall: 4-23
Results will be what they will be, but as a team, they have taken steps. Hang around, make teams pay for mistakes, and have bought into what they need to do. There will be tough nights, but there will also be nights where it all clicks and they catch teams on the chin.
Player Spotlight: Noah Alexander – 1 goal in 1 game
Up next: Dec. 10th @ Steinbach, Dec. 12th @ WPG Blues, Dec. 14th @ Winkler, Dec. 16th vs Blues
