1 – Steinbach Pistons (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 41-8-2
Riding a winning streak where everything is firing on all cylinders. When they decide to start skating, it’s hard for teams to keep up over the course of a game, which allows the offence to get chances they rarely miss. Special teams have also played a factor, being top two in both power play and penalty kill.
Player Spotlight: Jackson Kostiuk – 3 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 25th vs Selkirk, Feb. 28th vs Neepawa
2 – Winkler Flyers (+1)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 32-17-1-2
Locking in details where it is already clear to see that they will be an incredibly difficult out come playoff time. Offensive contributions from the backend have also been a major boost. On top of it all, goaltending has come in and been even better than they’d hoped, which says a lot given how high the hopes were.
Player Spotlight: Liam Ernst – 2-0 record, 48 saves on 48 shots, 2 shutouts
Up Next: Feb. 27th vs Northern Manitoba, Mar. 1st @ WPG Blues
3 – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (-2)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 26-21-2-2
Undefeated in February until a humbling road loss. Good teams will lose games, but it will be how they respond that shows how much they’ve grown throughout the year. In a great spot standings-wise, and looking to clinch a playoff spot, something that could come with home ice advantage in round one.
Player Spotlight: Kurt Rookes – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 25th @ Swan Valley, Feb. 28th @ Niverville, Mar. 3rd vs Niverville
4- Niverville Nighthawks (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 43-6-1
Turned things around after a bit of a stumble. Back to being difficult to score against, comfortable in close games, and can flex the offensive muscles when they need to. Goaltending has again been strong, and the consistent, workman-like approach keeps them always on the edge of being explosive.
Player Spotlight: Austin Dubinsky – 1-0, 37 saves on 37 shots, 1 shutout
Up Next: Feb. 25th vs Portage, Feb. 27th vs Swan Valley, Feb. 28th vs Waywayseecappo, Mar. 3rd @ Waywayseecappo
5- Portage Terriers (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 32-16-1
Getting timely contributions from all over the lineup has pulled the Terriers out of a bit of a tailspin. Goals from the backend have been harder to come by, but not lately, as a few role players were rewarded, which can also provide a big jolt to the rest of the team. Stiff tests are upcoming, but positive vibes are there.
Player Spotlight: Jonah Lemoine – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 25th @ Niverville, Feb. 28th vs Swan Valley, Mar. 1st @ Dauphin, Mar. 4th vs WPG Blues
6 – Virden Oil Capitals (-2)
This week: 1-1-1
Overall: 32-12-3-1
The definition of a mixed bag when it comes to effort and results. Still, far and away atop the MGEU West points-wise allows them a little grace when they don’t have their ‘A’ or ‘B’ game rolling. Best goal differential in the division, and the only team to score over 200 goals on that side, as well.
Player Spotlight: Dysen Drake – 4 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th vs WPG Blues, Feb. 28th @ Selkirk, Mar. 2nd @ Selkirk, Mar. 3rd vs WPG Monarchs
7 – Dauphin Kings (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 28-21-2
First place in the division is a long shot, and home ice in round one is not assured, but the group is finding their way after a tough stretch. The big guys need to keep scoring, and as the competition gets tougher, the goaltenders may need to steal a game or two, which they are very capable of.
Player Spotlight: Ty Pratte – 1 goal, 4 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th @ Neepawa, Mar. 1st vs Portage, Mar. 3rd @ Selkirk
8 – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+2)
This week: 1-1-1
Overall: 8-35-3-3
The rollercoaster ride of a young team. Some nights, the game cannot be over fast enough, and the next game, they’re putting together a comeback that shows they are not a team to be taken lightly. Winning as a young group at any time is good, but especially when it’s at home to reward the fans.
Player Spotlight: John Adlys – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th @ Winkler, Feb. 28th @ WPG Monarchs, Mar. 3rd @ Swan Valley, Mar. 4th @ Neepawa
9- Neepawa Titans (-2)
This week: 1-3
Overall: 25-23-1-1
An up-and-down month won’t force a push of the panic button, but it will be frustrating knowing they could have leapfrogged a couple of teams with the games in hand they let slip away. Still runway to catch fire, and no matter what, this team is going to be a difficult round one matchup to face.
Player Spotlight: Talen Lewis – 2 goals, 2 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th vs Dauphin, Feb. 28th @ Steinbach, Mar. 4th vs Norman
10- Swan Valley Stampeders (-1)
This week: 1-3
Overall: 17-28-3-1
One of the biggest bounce-back wins of the year, coming off a disappointing weekend. Making it even better, it came against the top team in the division. Great response from a group that, if they stay together, will make a lot of noise next season.
Player Spotlight: Dylan Ruff – 4 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 25th vs Waywayseecappo, Feb. 27th @ Niverville, Feb. 28th @ Portage, Mar. 3rd vs Northern Manitoba
11 – Winnipeg Blues (-)
This week: 0-1
Overall: 13-32-3
More lately is a repeat of what most of the season has been. The team is in a battle to start, but it eventually gets away from them, and the score can get lopsided. It doesn’t help that they have scored more than three goals in a game once in 17 games.
Player Spotlight: Fenton Mann – 1 goal in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th @ Virden, Mar. 1st vs Winkler, Mar. 4th @ Portage
12 – Winnipeg Monarchs (-)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 8-40-2
The beat goes on as it has for most of the season. Young, hard-working, if taken lightly, they can bite. But at the end of it, still lack scoring, still lack depth to compete for most full games, and goaltending, which keeps them in the battle a lot fo the time, can only do so much.
Player Spotlight: Ian Lavallee – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 27th @ Selkirk, Feb. 28th vs Northern Manitoba, Mar. 3rd @ Virden
13 – Selkirk Steelers (-)
This week: 0-2
Overall: 18-27-2-1
Officially, another year without playoffs, and that sting of disappointment has to really be felt. They are not far off, but it’s clear they are still steps behind competing for a playoff spot, let alone anything more. Even still, don’t expect them to just let teams run all over them, they will battle till the end.
Player Spotlight: Owen Branson – 4 assists in 2 games
Up next: Feb. 25th @ Steinbach, Feb. 27th vs WPG Monarchs, Feb. 28th vs Virden, Mar. 2 vs Virden, Mar. 3 vs Dauphin
