1 – Niverville Nighthawks (+2)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 5-0
Very impressive start for the Nighthawks, who have shown they have what it takes to win in different ways. From lopsided scores to gutsy close battles, early-season tests for a veteran club have come, and they’ve been passed. An added bonus is having beaten some division rivals.
Player Spotlight: Parker Carrier – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th @ Neepawa, Oct. 12th vs Dauphin, Oct. 15th vs WPG Monarchs
2 – Selkirk Steelers (-1)
This week: 3-0
Overall: 8-0
Good teams win the games they should, and the Steelers have proven themselves to be a good team. A good test is coming up starting this weekend, and the Steelers look to make a statement, proving they are legit contenders, and have learned the tough lessons from last year.
Player Spotlight: Griffin Krone – 3 goals, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 11th vs Steinbach, Oct. 12th @ Winkler, Oct. 14th @ Winkler
3 – Steinbach Pistons (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 6-0-1
Business as usual for the Pistons. Whether it’s at home or on the road, the depth of the group proves to be too much to handle for a full sixty minutes. Defenders continue to be a big boost offensively, and like the forwards, have a habit of coming at teams in waves.
Player Spotlight: Jack Greenwell – 2 goals, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th vs Swan Valley, Oct. 11th @ Selkirk, Oct. 15th @ Portage
4 – Portage Terriers (-2)
This week: 1-0-1
Overall: 4-1-1
Fast and gritty, the Terriers are quickly gaining a reputation as a team that is really hard to score on. On top of that, every player can be dangerous. Strong puck-moving in all zones keeps them out of trouble while also opening opportunities to score.
Player Spotlight: Wyatt Dreger – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th @ Northern Manitoba, Oct. 11th @ Northern Manitoba, Oct. 15th vs Steinbach
5 – Dauphin Kings (-)
This week: 1-0
Overall: 4-1
Gritty wins keep the Kings right near the top of the MGEU West Division. Keeping pace while finding different ways to win. The ceiling is higher for this team than they’ve shown, and it seems like a matter of time until they unlock every aspect.
Player Spotlight: Sheldon Shyaik – 1 goal in 1 game
Up Next: Oct. 11th @ WPG Monarchs, Oct. 12th @ Niverville
6 – Virden Oil Capitals (+1)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 4-2
A tidy pair of wins for an Oil Caps club that looks like they have learned to walk, and now are ready to run. Contributions up and down the lineup are a staple for the club, and something they will continue to build on throughout a stretch against teams that will be pesky.
Player Spotlight: Bryce Bryant – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 8th @ Waywayseecappo, Oct. 10th @ Virden, Oct. 11th vs Neepawa
7 – Neepawa Titans (+4)
This week: 2-0
Overall: 3-4
Still a game below the .500 mark on the year, but playing some very solid, sustainable hockey. While not facing the most dynamic of offenses, the Titans proved they can lock things down, and that will be very important during a stretch when they face some teams that can fill the net.
Player Spotlight: Cooper Kasprick – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th vs Niverville, Oct. 11th @ Virden
8 – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (-2)
This week: 1-1
Overall: 4-3
Hung around and pushed one game, then exploded offensively in the next. Up front, a group of hard-working, determined, and structured players can be solid all over the ice. Speed to burn. The question marks are on the backend, but if they can keep moving pucks quickly, they’ll limit chances against.
Player Spotlight: Sebastien Hicks – 3 goals, 4 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 8th vs Virden, Oct. 10th @ Virden, Oct. 14th @ WPG Blues
9- Winkler Flyers (-)
This week: 1-1-1
Overall: 2-4-1
Still searching for a way to put it all together. A big breakout offensively might be the start of what makes Winkler consistently dangerous, the ability for anyone to score at any time. The power play got a much-needed boost of production in the last game.
Player Spotlight: Connor Rieger – 3 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 12th vs Selkirk, Oct. 14th vs Selkirk
10 – Winnipeg Blues (-1)
This week: 0-2-1
Overall: 1-4-1
Offensive struggles continue, but have shown flashes they can find offense. Still give up too many shots and good opportunities, but as a young blueline, they will need to go through some learning curves. Goaltending has been impressive, despite what the box score may say at times.
Player Spotlight: Matthew O’Sullivan – 2 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 11th vs Swan Valley, Oct. 12th @ WPG Monarchs, Oct. 14th @ Waywayseecappo
11 -Northern Manitoba Blizzard
This week: 0-1-1
Overall: 0-3-1
Put up a very strong fight against a team that has yet to lose a game. Held the league’s best offense to a limited number of goals, which can be something to build on. Will continue to look for offensive opportunities themselves, but opened eyes around the league, results aside.
Player Spotlight: Justin Whitrow – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th vs Portage, Oct. 11th vs Portage
12 – Swan Valley Stampeders (-)
This week: 0-3
Overall: 1-6
One of the more surprising starts league-wide. On a positive note, no one in the MGEU West is running away from the division, and having time to sort things out will benefit a Stamps group that still looks poised to take a step forward. Young players will look to keep leading the way.
Player Spotlight: Finlay Johnston – 1 goal in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 10th @ Steinbach, Oct. 11th @ WPG Blues
13 – Winnipeg Monarchs (-3)
This week: 0-4
Overall: 1-9
Not a lot has gone right for the young club over the past few games. Some long nights where it seems like everything that can go wrong, does, and it usually ends up in the back of their net. They have a good coach, a good plan, but can only hold on for so long in some games.
Player Spotlight: Ethan Hulme – 1 goal in 4 games
Up next: Oct. 11th vs Dauphin, Oct. 12th vs WPG Blues, Oct. 15th @ Niverville
