1 – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 36-2-1
Not even the injury bug can slow down the Nighthawks. Continuing to find ways to get results through hard work, structure, and a very deep lineup. Whispers are getting louder about this being one of the best all-time MJHL regular season teams.
Player Spotlight: Ben Chornomydz – 2-0, 53 saves on 55 shots, 1 shutout
Up Next: Jan. 30th @ WPG Blues, Feb. 1st @ Dauphin, Feb. 3rd @ WPG Monarchs
2 – Virden Oil Capitals (-)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 24-10-2
Boasting a powerful, dynamic offence, the Oil Caps have put up an eye-popping 19 goals in three games. On top of strong goal output, the group is keeping goals against down and leads the MGEU West in goal differential by a large margin. Great news: Tyson Ramsey gets a well-deserved contract extension.
Player Spotlight: Bryce Bryant – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th vs Steinbach, Jan. 31st @ WPB Monarchs, Feb. 4th @ Northern Manitoba
3 – Steinbach Pistons (-)
This week: 4-0
Overall: 31-8-1
Starting to roll in all areas. With games getting tighter, the Pistons are showing they’re dialling in the playoff-like details. Depth has always been a strong point, and combined with elite-level goaltending, a determined group will look to keep taking positive steps forward.
Player Spotlight: Marek Miller – 2 goals, 4 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th @ Virden, Jan. 31st @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 4th vs Portage
4- Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+2)
This week: 1-0-0-1
Overall: 18-20-1-2
No one is taking the Wolverines lightly. Big-time offensive weapons have proven to be deadly at any time. A part of the team game that has grown is that they’ve learned how to respond to adversity in a game. They don’t let negatives pile up, they push back. Traits that will serve them well now and into the playoffs.
Player Spotlight: Aidan Herring – 4 goals, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th vs Northern Manitoba, Jan. 31st vs Steinbach, Feb. 3rd vs Neepawa
5- Winkler Flyers (-1)
This week: 1-2
Overall: 22-15-1-2
Despite a couple of hard-fought losses, the Flyers are on a different level from where they started the year. Deep, structured, heavy, determined. The only thing that might stop them is themselves, as they lead the MJHL in penalty minutes, having accumulated a league-high 1039 PIM.
Player Spotlight: Rhylan Baxter – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 31st @ WPB Blues, Feb. 1st @ Portage, Feb. 3rd vs WPB Blues
6 – Neepawa Titans (+1)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 22-16-0-1
In a good spot standings wise. Lots to like about where there game is, knowing there is another level or two they can reach. Always hard to play against, but are becoming more predictable in what other teams can expect, which is hard working and never out of a game. High scoring or tight checking, the Titans seem fine either way.
Player Spotlight: Owen Durigan – 2 goals, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 30th vs WPB Monarchs, Jan. 31st @ Dauphin, Feb. 3rd @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 4th vs Selkirk
7 – Portage Terriers (-2)
This week: 1-3
Overall: 26-12-1
Not the best stretch, but also not time to panic. Things haven’t gone their way, but there’s a chance to turn it around against two of their long-standing rivals. One they want to keep from catching, the other is a team they are trying to chase down. Big points on the line. A big opportunity to make a statement to the league and themselves.
Player Spotlight: Beck Bethard – 2 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 1st vs Winkler, Feb. 4th @ Steinbach
8 – Swan Valley Stampeders (+2)
This week: 3-1
Overall: 11-23-3-1
Winning is always better than the alternative. No matter how it happens, overtime wins help pull a team even more together. While this year will be hard-pressed to catch a playoff spot, there are some very solid pieces in place for the future, which is welcome news after a couple of tough seasons.
Player Spotlight: Ben Groome – 5 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th vs Selkirk, Jan. 31st vs Selkirk, Feb. 2nd @ Dauphin
9- Dauphin Kings (-)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 22-17-1
Picked up a much-needed win in their last game, but the slide down the MGEU West standings has been a gradual one. Better to flush out some issues now, and there’s still lots of time to catch fire. A few home games in a row might be just what they need to start building momentum back up.
Player Spotlight: Joey Kubas – 3 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 31st vs Neepawa, Feb. 1st vs Niverville, Feb. 3rd vs Swan Valley
10- Selkirk Steelers (-2)
This week: 0-1
Overall: 18-19-2
The odds may be long for getting into the playoffs, but they keep hanging around, finding ways to keep in the conversation. May not have enough runway this year, and the question will be what they carry over from this year into next. Have a lot of solid players who will gain experience the rest of the way.
Player Spotlight: Wyatt Witham – 2 assists in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 30th @ Swan Valley, Jan. 31st @ Swan Valley, Feb. 4th @ Neepawa
11 – Winnipeg Monarchs (+1)
This week: 0-0-2
Overall: 7-31-2
A pair of tough overtime losses will sting. Frustration was added because the group believed they had those games in hand, only to watch them slip away. Young guys are getting playing time, learning on the job. Some nights are tough, but there’s improvement from where they were at the start of the year.
Player Spotlight: Thomas Gale – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th @ Neepawa, Jan. 31st vs Virden, Feb. 3rd vs Niverville
12 – Winnipeg Blues (+1)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 10-25-3
Have done a good job scoring goals. Have not done a good job of giving up goals against. Like most young teams, players getting an opportunity are making the most of it. First MJHL goals or points are always a highlight, even if those are the only highlight some nights.
Player Spotlight: Leathen Bent – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 30th vs Niverville, Jan. 31st vs Winkler, Feb. 3rd @ Winkler
13 – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-2)
This week: 0-4
Overall: 6-27-2-2
In some games, it doesn’t go your way, while in other games it seems to snowball. No matter what, it seems like the Blizzard are on the wrong end lately. Still won’t quit. Still battle, still proudly represent the community, but it’s clear there is a lot of work to do both on the ice and behind the scenes.
Player Spotlight: Kasen Harrold – 2 goals in 4 games
Up next: Jan. 30th @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 4th @ Virden
