(+3) 1st – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 28-11-2
Impressive Player: Defenceman Eric Krywy – 3 assists
A combination of taking care of their own business while other teams around them stumbled, the Wolverines grab top spot in the rankings. The team is sharpening up their claws for a crucial upcoming games vs the Kings, where first place in the division and maybe the league is on the line.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Oil Capitals, Friday vs Kings, Saturday @ Kings, Tuesday @ Blizzard
(+3) 2nd – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 30-9-2-1
Impressive Player: Forward Zach Power – 4 goals
Returning to form after a slight setback, the Pistons rediscovered what it takes to win this time of year. Timely goals, strong defence and key saves helped Steinbach steady the ship and keep hold of top spot in the MJHL. Games against a possible first round playoff opponent will give the Pistons a chance to really set a tone.
Up Next: Friday @ Steelers, Saturday @ Freeeze, Monday vs Steelers
(-1) 3rd – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 29-11
Impressive Player: Forward Kaden Bryant – 1 goal, 2 assists
Eye-popping loss aside, the Kings rattled off four wins in a row before that and looked like the dominant team many expected throughout the early part of February. They’ll look to continue to build as they close out the month with their biggest games before the playoffs start. Four contests vs Waywayseecappo may well be the difference between first and second.
Up Next: Friday @ Wolverines, Saturday vs Wolverines, Monday @ Titans
(-1) 4th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 26-14-0-2
Impressive Player: Forward Jake Dale – 2 goals, 1 assist
Despite losing their captain in a loss the night before, the Blues managed to respond and get a key win against their in-city rival. Currently, with a small cushion on the Flyers for second place, the Blues hold their fate in their own hands. The Blues have shown they are deeper than some give them credit for and can do more than just hold tight until Brayden Foreman gets back.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Flyers, Saturday vs Terriers, Monday @ Terriers
(-4) 5th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 24-15-1-1
Impressive Player: Forward Troy Hamilton – 2 goals
An unexpected step-back for a team that appeared to be rolling. The offence dried up for the Flyers who could only manage two goals over two games. Strong goaltending kept them in those games, which is encouraging. With an eye still on hosting playoff games in round 1, the Flyers will need to be ready for the scrappy teams waiting throughout the rest of the month. The offence needs to wake up and it’s a safe bet they won’t stay quiet for long.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Blues, Saturday @ Steelers
(+1) 6th – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 2-1-1
Overall: 20-18-4
Impressive Player: Forward Nathan Driver – 2 goals
Very busy week for the Oil Capitals. While perhaps they feel they could have done more, they will be happy to take 5 of a possible 8 points away from a tough stretch. Regaining third place in the West was step one. Keeping it is step two. A key series vs the Stamps will surely help give them some breathing room, if they take advantage of the situation.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Wolverines, Friday @ Stampeders, Saturday vs Stampeders
(+3) 7th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 17-19-4-1
Impressive Player: Forward Austin McLean – 3 goals, 2 assists
Don’t take this dog to the vet just yet. The Terriers refuse to go quietly into the night and have vaulted themselves up towards the Steelers for that final playoff spot. It’s still a long shot but who in Manitoba would count the Terriers out of anything. They’ve trapped lightning in the bottle before and the run way may just be long enough to do it again.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Freeze, Friday @ Freeze, Saturday @ Blues, Monday vs Blues
(+4) 8th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 1-1-2
Overall: 14-23-2-4
Impressive Player: Forward Riley Zimmerman – 3 goals, 2 assists
Picking up points however they can, plus a dominant win over the top team in the West have some eyes looking at the Blizzard and wondering just how much they can fight back. They’ve shown no quit and are set up with some home games to close out the month that could make things a whole lot tighter in the West. Don’t sleep on the Blizzard or you may get snowed in.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Stampeders, Friday @ Titans, Saturday @ Titans, Tuesday vs Wolverines
(-) 9th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 1-0-1
Overall: 16-18-3-5
Impressive Player: Forward Cody Gudnason – 1 goal, 2 assists
Any time you can pick up points in games, it’s usually a good thing. For the Titans who are in a dog fight for that final playoff spot, showing they don’t give anything away is huge. The compete and battle back has given the team the belief they are never out of it and they’ll need that attitude to continue down the stretch if they want to catch up to fourth. They have the games in hand to do it and much like their last couple of games, the mindset has to be ‘points, no matter what’.
Up Next: Friday vs Blizzard, Saturday vs Blizzard, Monday vs Kings
(-4) 10th- Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 19-18-4-2
Impressive Player: Forward Matthew Gerke – 3 goals
Selkirk’s placement this week is more about the teams around them than the Steelers themselves. Coming off a rock-solid win vs the Flyers, they had a chance to really carry that momentum through and put perhaps the dagger in the dogs, but allowed Portage to creep just a bit closer. Selkirk has played pretty well over the month of February and will look that the Terriers game as a small setback as opposed to a defining moment of the month.
Up Next: Friday vs Pistons, Saturday vs Flyers, Monday @ Pistons
(-3) 11th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 0-1-0-1
Overall: 19-20-1-4
Impressive Player: Forward Justin Keck – 1 goal, 1 assist
One of the more interesting teams to follow in the MJHL. Some games look almost unbeatable defensively. Others, they score their way out of trouble. A tough stretch though saw them unable to come fully back and because they have played more games than anyone, it leaves them in a bit of watch mode as they hope other teams around them falter a bit over the next week. Playoffs can’t come soon enough for this team.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Blizzard, Friday vs Oil Capitals, Saturday @ Oil Capitals
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 9-29-2
Impressive Player: Forward Dean Gorchynski – 1 goal, 2 assists
A tight, hard-fought loss in the game before steamrolling over the Blues shows yet again that the Freeze are no pushovers. They are a hardworking team and if looked past, will make teams pay. They’re still learning how to score and how to defend as a team. Growing pains will happen but any time you can get wins while going through those times, it’s a good thing. The Freeze can be dangerous down the stretch if teams don’t show them the respect they deserve.
Up Next: Wednesday @ Terriers, Friday vs Terriers, Saturday vs Pistons
