(-) 1st – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 4-0
Overall: 39-9-2-1
Impressive Player: Forward Jack Rogers – 6 goals, 6 assists
Steinbach pushed their winning streak to an impressive 12 games and are showing no signs of slowing down. Scoring from up and down the lineup, balanced defence, and strong goaltending have the Pistons in a good position and good headspace as they await their first-round opponent.
Up Next: Saturday @ Blues, Sunday vs Freeze, Friday vs Blues
(-) 2nd – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 37-11-1
Impressive Player: Forward Nick Braun – 3 goals, 2 assists
In the midst of another strong string of games, the Kings have sprinted towards the end of the regular season. Winners of 8 straight, Dauphin locked down the top spot in the division and are still within striking distance of the overall league title. They could have a big say in whom they play in the first round with a couple of games against Swan Valley who currently sits in 4th place.
Up Next: Wednesday @ Oil Capitals, Friday vs Stampeders, Saturday vs Stampeders
(-) 3rd – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 26-20-4
Impressive Player: Forward Carson Buydens – 4 goals, 2 assists
Getting hot at the right time, the Oil Capitals are charging. With playoffs reseeding after the first round, the Oil Caps are making both divisions sit up and take notice. A statement win against their all but certain playoff opponent Waywayseecappo should give them even more confidence heading into the first round.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Kings, Thursday vs OCN, Friday vs OCN
(+1) 4th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 2-1-0-1
Overall: 29-16-3-2
Impressive Player: Forward Josh Beauchemin – 2 goals, 4 assists
Despite a bit of a dip Monday, the Flyers have been playing solid hockey which has boosted them into second place in the East. Having games at home to open the playoffs is huge for the Flyers. They have third overall in the league well within their sights as well, which could make for interesting matchups across the league after re-seeding.
Up Next: Wednesday vs Blues, Friday @ Terriers, Saturday vs Terriers
(+1) 5th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 2-0-0-1
Overall: 22-21-4-2
Impressive Player: Goaltender Jayden Catellier – 2-0-0-1, 1 shutout, 77 saves over 3 games
All you can do is give yourself a chance and that’s exactly what the Terriers have done. When they are counted down and out, the Terriers prove that despite being dogs, they have 9 lives like a cat. If they want to make the playoffs, it’s theirs for the taking. Handle their business and get in. Don’t and they’ll only have themselves to blame.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Blues, Friday @ Flyers, Saturday vs Flyers
(-2) 6th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 1-1-0-1
Overall: 30-17-2-1
Impressive Player: Forward Boston Bird – 6 assists
A little adversity never hurts a team, it’s about how you respond when times get tough. The Wolverines have stumbled a bit of late but having such a strong season overall has made it more than bearable, at least standings wise. Waywayseecappo has time to get things back and build some confidence before the playoffs where they may be in the toughest series of round one. The Wolverines don’t mind though, tough suits them just fine.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Titans, Wednesay vs Titans, Friday @ Titans, Saturday vs Titans
(+1) 7th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 18-28-2-4
Impressive Player: Forward Drake Flynn – 1 goal, 3 assists
The ride unfortunately came to an end as the Blizzard fell short of their playoff goal. Still, they battled right to the very end. For the players graduating, they can be proud of how hard they pushed, and for the players returning, playing playoff games will only make them better in the long run. Despite missing the dance, there are a lot of positives to take away from this season for the Blizzard.
Up Next: Thursday @ Oil Capitals, Friday @ Oil Capitals
(-1) 8th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 28-18-1-2
Impressive Player: Forward Sean Williams – 1 goal
It’s been a rollercoaster ride of late for the Blues who are just hoping to get healthy in time for the playoffs. 7 games without a regulation win while mixing in a couple of overtime and shootout games, have knocked them out of second and are looking at starting round one on the road. With a full lineup, that won’t bother them as they are as lethal as any offence in the league with a top goalie backing them.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Terriers, Wednesday @ Flyers, Saturday vs Pistons
(-) 9th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 23-23-4-2
Impressive Player: Forward Sheldin Howard – 2 goals, 1 assist
They lost the right to hold their own destiny, now they just have to do what they can with the games remaining and hope. The mind may drift to the out-of-town scoreboard but the Steelers need to focus on the task at hand. They need two wins against a Freeze team that won’t just hand over points. Selkirk needs to handle their own games if they want to earn the right to even hope for the playoffs.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Freeze, Saturday @ Freeze
(+1) 10th– Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 22-25-1-4
Impressive Player: Forward Cody Barnes – 3 goals
They may have only won one game but it was a big one. The Stamps knocked the Blizzard out of playoff contention and banked two massive points in their own playoff push. Given the games they’ve played and the team chasing them, they are in a solid position but will still need a little luck if they hope to head to Credi Union Place in Dauphin for game one of round one.
Up Next: Friday @ Kings, Saturday @ Kings
(-1) 11th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 0-2-1
Overall: 21-23-1-4
Impressive Player: Forward Jaegar Lapointe – 1 goal, 1 assist
Four games left. Win and you’re in. Easy to say but not easy to accomplish. The Titans come down the stretch hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Get on a heater, get to the dance and then go from there. A Waywayseecappo team looking to right their own ship awaits. A difficult challenge but if the Titans want the playoffs, it’s standing in front of them. Points by any means necessary.
Up Next: Tuesday vs Wolverines, Wednesday @ Wolverines, Friday vs Wolverines, Saturday @ Wolverines
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-2-1
Overall: 9-35-4
Impressive Player: Forward Tristan Bear – 1 goal, 1 assist
Coming down the stretch, this Freeze team simply refuses to just give anything up. They work hard, they’re well-coached and they’re playing for positions next season. They will have a say in what happens in the fourth and final spot in the East and can really ruin the Steeler’s day by pulling off a couple of wins.
Up Next: Tuesday @ Steelers, Saturday vs Steelers, Sunday @ Pistons, Tuesday @ Kings
