Some teams are finding their groove, others are taking it up a notch while a few are still learning to crawl before they can walk or run.
(+1) 1st – Steinbach Pistons
This week: 2-0
Overall: 6-0
Notes: Impressive Player: Forward Nate Goodbrandson – 3 goals, 4 assists for 7 points
A statement weekend for the Pistons who defeated the Flyers in back-to-back games. The line of Goodbrandson, Quintin Pepper, and Davis Fry combined for 17 points in the two games. Add in rock-solid goaltending by Simon Harkness, including a shutout and Steinbach looks to be firing on all cylinders.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ Winkler, Oct. 9th vs Winkler
(-1) 2nd – Winnipeg Blues
This week: 2-0
Overall: 6-0
Impressive Player: Goalie Dawson Green – 47 saves over two games, 2 goals against.
Notes: The Blues had their hands full at times with a young and hungry Portage team but came away with another four points in the bank. Their big guns continue to lead the way and their goaltending is also very strong. Blues are proving to be a top tier team in the MJHL.
Up next: Oct. 8th vs Portage, Oct. 10th @ Portage
(+2) 3rd – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This week: 1-1
Overall: 4-2
Impressive Player: Forward Logan Wotton – 2 goals
Notes: A bit of a smack in the mouth at the hands of the Stamps might be a bit of a wakeup call for the Wolverines who’ve played pretty well to start the season. It’s not like they didn’t have their chances to go 2-0 but give credit to Swan. Now, it’ll up to Wayway to respond or risk slipping down the tight West standings.
Up next: Oct. 8th vs Swan Valley, Oct. 9th @ Swan Valley
(-) 4th – Dauphin Kings
This week: 1-1
Overall: 4-2
Impressive player: Forward Ben Hackl – 1 goal, 1 assist for 2 points
Notes: A real solid response for the Kings after getting shutout by the Blizzard sees them right on pace in the West but feeling like they have more to give. The power play really seemed to find its footing Sunday night and if that can continue, Dauphin can get a little separation from the pack in the West.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ OCN, Oct. 10th vs OCN
(-2) 5 – Winkler Flyers
This week: 0-2
Overall: 3-2-1
Impressive player: Jackson Arpin – 1 goal
Notes: A wakeup call was sent to the Flyers and a pair of losses will give them an opportunity to learn and grow. Justin Falk called them measuring sticks to where they want to be and they’ll have a week to see if they can pull back to even ground with Steinbach after looking a step behind. While it is early, these are games you have to get a least a point out of if you want to stay close to the top spot.
Up next: Oct. 8th vs Steinbach, Oct. 9th @ Steinbach
(+4) 6 – Neepawa Titans
This week: 1-0-1
Overall: 2-3-1
Impressive player: Defender Connor Brust – 1 goal, 1 assist for 2 points
Notes: What a wild weekend for the Titans. Coming off a couple of humbling losses, they pick up 3 out of a possible 4 points against a Virden club needing to find their way a bit. Right now, they’d be happy to split games but look for this team to get better as the year goes on and expectations to rise.
Up next: Oct. 8th vs Virden, Oct. 9th @ Virden
(+1) 7 – Virden Oil Capitals
This week: 1-0-1
Overall: 2-3-1
Impressive player: Forward Carson Buydens – 1 goal, 3 assists for 4 points
Notes: Getting 3 of 4 points on the weekend is good but you get the sense that Virden really wanted more. They needed third period goals to force overtime in both games, used a power play to get a win then gave up a power play goal the following night that cost them a win. It’s a team that seems to be riding a rollercoaster and will need to find a way to level out as the season goes on in a division that will be a battle every game.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ Neepawa, Oct. 9th vs Neepawa
(+1) 8th – OCN Blizzard
This week: 1-1
Overall: 3-2-1
Impressive player: Goalie – Nick Pineo – 45 save shutout win
Notes: The Blizzard may be the team that has earned the most respect to this point of the year. Some were skeptical about what Billy Keane would be able to do but so far, he’s got to be very proud of how his team has met challenges and battled to pick up some big wins. A team that learns how to win together can be a dangerous thing for the rest of that division. OCN won’t be ‘point night’ this season.
Up next: Oct 8th @ Dauphin, Oct. 10th vs Dauphin
(-3) 9th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This week:1-1
Overall: 3-3
Impressive player: Jamie Valentino – 1 goal, 2 assists for 3 points
Notes: Don’t let the position fool you, Swan has started to play very well and scoring six against the Wolverines deserves a lot of credit. Secondary scoring is starting to trend in the right direction. All teams want is a chance and the Stamps have a real chance to put the league on notice with another strong showing against the Wolverines upcoming.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ Waywayseecappo, Oct. 9th vs Waywayseecappo
(+2) 10th – Selkirk Steelers
This week: 2-0
Overall: 2-4
Impressive player: Forward Quinton Hill – 2 goals, 2 assists for 4 points
Notes: Steelers fans can take a deep breath after getting their first two wins of the year. These were important wins to show players and fans things are trending in the right direction after a difficult couple of weeks. Can’t sleep on the Freeze though, Selkirk will need to be ready for another weekend where they can take another stop forward or face the threat of falling flat on their face.
Up next: Oct. 8th vs Freeze, Oct. 9th @ Freeze
(-4) 11th – Portage Terriers
This week: 0-2
Overall: 1-5
Impressive player: Defenseman Tyler Dodgson – 1 goal, 1 assist for 2 points
Notes: A pair of good efforts for Portage but it’s been a while since good effort was considered a positive. For a franchise that has been so good for so long, it seems almost strange to not see them atop the standings. They will get their wins and by the end of the year, could be one of those pesky teams to make an upset in the playoffs. For now, no one outside Portage is to upset at their 1-5 start.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ Blues, Oct. 10th vs Blues
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This week: 0-2
Overall: 0-6
Impressive player: Forward Ryder Ringor – 1 goal, 2 assists for 3 points
Notes: The growing pains continue. People watch from around the league and there is a growing sense the that first win will come sooner rather than later but it just seems to escape the Freeze. No team wants to be the one to lose first in regulation to the newcomers so this team will have to find a way to take it. If they do, they may be able to build upon it.
Up next: Oct. 8th @ Selkirk, Oct. 9th vs Selkirk
