1 – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 39-2-1
Soldiering on. The drum beat continues with all the players pulling on the rope in the same direction. If something doesn’t work at first, there is the belief and proof that if they stick with it, it will work eventually. Dynamic scoring across the lineup also helps.
Player Spotlight: Marlen Edwards – 6 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ Winkler, Feb. 7th vs Virden, Feb 11th vs WPG Blues
2 – Virden Oil Capitals (-)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 26-10-2
Really finding their footing of late. Quick and feisty in all areas, the Oil Caps have become a team that is as dangerous offensively as they are stingy defensively. They shoot from everywhere, and they are not afraid to get in lanes and pay the price for blocking shots. A playoff-like mentality now will serve them well going forward.
Player Spotlight: Colten Worthington – 1 goal, 5 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th vs Dauphin, Feb. 7th vs Niverville, Feb. 10th vs Selkirk
3 – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+1)
This week: 2-0-1
Overall: 20-20-2-2
If not for a bad luck own goal, could have easily swept their latest stretch. Inspired hockey of late, the Wolverines have unleashed a deadly and consistent attack, which has produced some big goals. Goaltending will always be tested, but no matter who is in the crease, there’s a belief they will get the job done.
Player Spotlight: Ben Roulette – 2 goals, 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ WPG Monarchs, Feb. 10th @ WPG Monarchs
4- Steinbach Pistons (-1)
This week: 1-0-1
Overall: 32-8-2
A tough pair of road games, both needing overtime to be resolved, both games telling different stories. Having a lead slip away in one, then showing a lot of heart and battling back in the other. Threats all over the lineup make them a hard team to defend, and when they use their speed, they’re almost unstoppable.
Player Spotlight: Cole Cairns – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 4th vs Portage, Feb. 6th vs Northern Manitoba, Feb. 7th vs Portage, Feb. 11th @ Neepawa
5- Winkler Flyers (-)
This week: 2-1
Overall: 24-16-1-2
A bit of a stumble in the last game, but proved the offence will always keep them in the fight, even when other areas of their game are not on point. A big home stand coming up will give them a great opportunity to climb up the standings, and moving from that final playoff spot into third is a real possibility.
Player Spotlight: William Lyons – 4 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th vs Niverville, Feb. 7th vs Swan Valley, Feb. 10th vs Portage
6 – Portage Terriers (+1)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 27-12-1
Picked up a massive two-points against the team chasing them in the MGEU East Division playoff race. Wasn’t easy or pretty, but that doesn’t matter to a team that needed a shot in the arm. Some more tests coming up should keep the group engaged and hungry.
Player Spotlight: Drayden Uhrina – 2 goals, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Feb. 4th @ Steinbach, Feb. 6th vs Swan Valley, Feb. 7th @ Steinbach, Feb. 10th @ Winkler
7 – Swan Valley Stampeders (+1)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 14-23-3-1
The sound of the Stampeders trying to chase down a playoff spot got a little louder. Regardless of what happens, the group has shown no quit, a lot of heart, and an ability to find a way to pull out the bonus point when possible. Odds might be long this year, but there are signs that next year will be different.
Player Spotlight: Ryder Woods – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ Portage, Feb. 7th @ Winkler
8 – Neepawa Titans (-2)
This week: 0-3
Overall: 22-19-0-1
The concern may be growing, as the Titans have slipped of late, but a busy February schedule will give them plenty of time to get back to what’s made them successful to this point. How they decide to go about deploying their goaltending rotation might be the most interesting part of the busy stretch.
Player Spotlight: Kyle Weisgarber – 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 4th vs Selkirk, Feb. 11th vs Steinbach
9- Dauphin Kings (-)
This week: 1-2
Overall: 23-19-1
The Kings have been on a teeter-totter, putting a couple of strong efforts together only to take a couple of steps back. Finding the back of the net is likely the biggest concern, as goal scoring has been hard to find consistently. Goaltending and defence will keep them in games, but they need to find goals.
Player Spotlight: Wyatt Dyck – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ Virden, Feb. 7th @ WPG Monarchs, Feb. 10th vs Northern Manitoba
10- Winnipeg Monarchs (+1)
This week: 1-2
Overall: 8-33-2
A big character win should give everyone a big jolt. There have been some long nights, so when they can pull off a victory when few outside the team believed possible, it’s something they can hold on to. Continuing to trend in the right direction. There will be tough nights ahead, but there may also be more earned wins.
Player Spotlight: Cam Alt – 2 goals, 5 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 7th vs Dauphin, Feb. 10th @ Waywayseecappo
11 – Selkirk Steelers (-1)
This week: 0-1-0-1
Overall: 18-20-2-1
Another tough stretch where the group has battled hard, but were unable to either get all the way back, or find that extra point. Not a group that plans to play out the stretch, they’ll always battle and compete, making sure teams know they have been in a fight.
Player Spotlight: Wyatt Witham – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 4th @ Neepawa, Feb. 10th @ Virden
12 – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+1)
This week: 0-1
Overall: 6-28-2-2
More of the same for the young team. They work hard, but eventually things get away from them. They’ve shown they can score, but are still in the process of learning how to consistently do so, and when other teams are doing what they can to smother them. Learning lessons can be tough.
Player Spotlight: Shea Fitzgerald – 1 goal in 1 game
Up Next: Feb. 4th vs Virden, Feb. 6th @ Steinbach, Feb. 7th @ WPG Blues, Feb. 8th @ WPG Blues, Feb. 10th @ Dauphin
13 – Winnipeg Blues (-1)
This week: 0-3
Overall: 10-28-3
Not a lot of positives, as the issues that have plagued them all year continue. Hard work only gets them so far, and eventually, the goals against pile up. Still, the players want to be part of the solution, and they’ll look to improve in any areas possible down the stretch.
Player Spotlight: William Marceus – 1 goal in 3 games
Up next: Feb. 7th vs Northern Manitoba, Feb. 8th vs Northern Manitoba, Feb. 11th @ Niverville
