Photo: Kalee Haasbeek
1 – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 34-2-1
Rolling right along. One thing that continues to stand out for the Nighthawks is that even when they are not at the top of their game, they stick with the plan, and that plan leads to a lot of success. A big road trip should have them re-energized and looking to make more of a statement.
Player Spotlight: Calyb Moore – 2 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 24th @ Dauphin, Jan. 27th @ Portage
2 – Virden Oil Capitals (+1)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 21-10-2
Climbed to the top of the MGEU West Division, through hard work, timely scoring, and solid, all-around style games. The group doesn’t allow many goals against, and has shown they can fill the net. They control their own destiny going forward, and that top divisional spot is huge, having 5 games in-hand over the chasing pack.
Player Spotlight: Braxton Burdeny – 1-0 record, 19 saves on 19 shots, 1 shutout
Up Next: Jan. 23rd vs Northern Manitoba, Jan. 24th vs WPG Blues, Jan. 27th vs Swan Valley
3 – Steinbach Pistons (-1)
This week: 0-1
Overall: 27-8-1
A humbling loss at home could be the fuel going forward for a group that is as deep as any, but still working to find the details to a successful all-around game. Lots of time between games doesn’t help, but that won’t be the case during a stretch of 8 games in 15 days.
Player Spotlight: Evan Gradt – 2 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 21st @ Portage, Jan. 23rd vs Winkler, Jan. 26th vs WPG Blues, Jan. 27th vs Winkler
4- Winkler Flyers (+1)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 21-13-1-2
It feels as though the tide has turned and that old swagger is back. New additions have fit in seamlessly, and the big guns have responded, too. Everyone seems to be pulling the rope in the same direction, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Some stiff road tests could be another major jolt of confidence.
Player Spotlight: Riley Fequet – 1 goal, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 23rd @ Steinbach, Jan. 24th vs Northern Manitoba, Jan. 27th @ Steinbach
5- Portage Terriers (-1)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 25-9-1
It’s been an up-and-down month for the Terriers. All the pieces are there, and some nights, they look like world beaters, but they haven’t been able to consistently find that level night in and night out. The style they play can wear on teams, but it can also be the reason they get themselves into trouble. Finding balance will be key.
Player Spotlight: Hunter Dingman – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 21st vs Steinbach, Jan. 23rd @ Selkirk, Jan. 24th @ Waywayseecappo, Jan. 27th vs Niverville
6 – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (-)
This week: 2-1
Overall: 17-20-1-1
Putting good stretches together and have given themselves some room in the playoff race. A lot of home games to close out the month of January could give them a great opportunity to really lock into how they want to play for that opening round of the playoffs, where they will be underdogs, but can’t be taken lightly.
Player Spotlight: Sebastien Hicks – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd @ Neepawa, Jan. 24th vs Portage
7 – Neepawa Titans (-)
This week: 2-1
Overall: 21-16-0-1
A so-so last stretch of games for a Titans club that is still pushing for that top spot in the MGEU West Division, or at very least looking to host the first game of the playoffs. They’ve established themselves as a team no one wants to play in the first round, but now it’s up to them to build on that.
Player Spotlight: Jack Clark – 1 goal, 5 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd vs Waywayseecappo
8 – Selkirk Steelers (+1)
This week: 2-1
Overall: 18-18-2
Far from just playing out the stretch, the Steelers are doing what they can, and that’s winning games they control. The odds are stacked against them, but what they do now and over the next few weeks to push the teams above them can help set a foundation for more sustained success next year, avoiding another annoying slow fade.
Player Spotlight: Dawson Madden – 3 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd vs Portage
9- Dauphin Kings (-1)
This week: 1-2
Overall: 21-16-1
Coming off a big, emotional road win, it looked as though the Kings had found something, but they couldn’t hold onto it. Sputtering in the next two games has the same questions popping up. It may come down to whether the group can score enough to be dangerous every game. They have the weapons, but they need to produce.
Player Spotlight: Kurtis Kinoshita – 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs Niverville, Jan. 27th @ Northern Manitoba
10- Swan Valley Stampeders (-1)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 8-22-3-1
A really solid feel-good kind of win against a divisional opponent. The moves at the trade deadline have restocked the shelves with a group that works hard and is looking to take advantage of the opportunities they are getting. There may be some long nights, but there will be positives sprinkled in, too.
Player Spotlight: Jake Giacobbo – 1 goal, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 21st vs Northern Manitoba, Jan. 24th vs WPG Monarchs, Jan. 25th vs WPG Monarchs, Jan. 27th vs Virden
11 – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+2)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 6-23-2-2
Seems like every game will be a high-scoring one. Sometimes that’s good for the Blizzard, sometimes not so much. Lots of changes, a lot of things going on, and an open door for some players to establish themselves as MJHLer’s, should keep the entertainment value high.
Player Spotlight: Trystyn Sidor – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 21st @ Swan Valley, Jan. 23rd @ Virden, Jan. 24th @ Winkler, Jan. 27th vs Dauphin
12 – Winnipeg Monarchs (-)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 7-31
Earning respect and a reputation as a pesky, never-quit kind of team. The results have not been there, but it’s not for lack of effort. Will look to continue to push teams, and if they can tilt a result in their favour, all the better.
Player Spotlight: Jonah Vanderhorst – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs Swan Valley, Jan. 25th vs Swan Valley
13 – Winnipeg Blues (-3)
This week: 0-3
Overall: 10-23-3
More of the same for a frustrated group. There have not been many positives over the last few weeks, but don’t expect them to just fold. If teams take them lightly, let them hang around, there is always a chance that this group grabs the opportunity and makes teams pay.
Player Spotlight: Kasen Mateychuk – 2 assists in 3 games
Up next: Jan. 24th @ Virden, Jan. 26th @ Steinbach
