(+1) 1st – Steinbach Pistons
This week: 2-0
Overall: 11-1
Impressive Player: Forward Cooper Rice – 2 goals
A pair of wins in what were two hard-fought games against the Portage Terriers has Steinbach atop the league in points with 24. They also have the top penalty kill at over 93%. Goalie Simon Harkness also improved his record to 8-0 and is the only goalie with more than 5 games played to be undefeated.
Up next: Oct. 29th @ Freeze, Oct. 30th vs Freeze
(+2) 2nd – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This week: 2-0
Overall: 10-2
Impressive Player: Forward Josh Peppler – 1 goal 2 assists
The beat (and beatings) kept rolling on for the Wolverines this past weekend. Six wins in a row have the Wolverines in the top spot in their division and a big showdown looming against the team closest to them in the standings. Another solid weekend where they take their claws out, they could put some serious distance between themselves and the rest of the West.
Up next: Oct. 29th @ Dauphin, Oct. 30th vs Dauphin
(+2) 3rd – Winkler Flyers
This week: 2-0
Overall: 8-3-0-1
Impressive Player: Defenseman Cole Mackenzie – 1 goal
A pair of wins have the Flyers feeling confident after a few weeks of ups and downs. They got their big guns scoring and also found some scoring depth, which if it carries forward, can answer some questions they had earlier in the year. A stiff test awaits but there’s a big opportunity for the Flyers to plant themselves in the conversation as a top tier team in the league.
Up next: Oct. 29th @ Blues, Oct. 30th vs Blues
(-4) 4th – Winnipeg Blues
This week: 0-2
Overall: 9-3
Impressive player: Forward Caden Zaplitny – 1 goal, 1 assist
The hot streak came to a screeching halt with back-to-back losses for the first time this season. The goal-scoring dried up. The special teams took a major hit and there are questions about the depth. The Blues have the talent to right the ship and can very easily do so. A key to winning is how you answer back after adversity and this upcoming set vs Winkler will tell a lot about what the Blues are made of between the ears.
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Winkler, Oct.30th @ Winkler
(-1) 5 – Dauphin Kings
This week: 1-1
Overall: 9-3
Impressive player: Forward Parker Fofonoff – 1 goal, 1 assist
Just when it looks like the Kings are ready to take a major leap forward, they mis-step, only to quickly rebound with an offensive showing that gets the rest of the league’s attention. Finding ways to win, even if you’re not having your best game, comes with time. If Dauphin can figure that out, they’ll be an even more difficult team to beat every night. They have the talent, now they need the consistency.
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Waywayseecappo, Oct. 30th @ Waywayseecappo
(+4) 6 – Selkirk Steelers
This week: 2-0
Overall: 5-6-0-1
Impressive player: Forward Nate Hinds – 2 goals, 1 assist
The big winners of the week after bringing the Blues back to earth with a pair of solid wins. Selkirk is a hard-working team and with some scoring, they can be one of those teams’ others don’t want to play in the first round. Playoffs are a long way away, but after a weekend like they just had, the belief has to have grown in that locker room and some concern will have grown for the rest of the East.
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Portage, Oct. 30th @ Portage
(+2) 7 – Virden Oil Capitals
This week: 1-1
Overall: 5-6-1
Impressive player: Forward Tyler Thoendel – 1 goal, 1 assist
The Oil Caps are a team that have their best hockey in front of them and when they’re on, they’re hard to beat. It’s just keeping things switched on at all times that seems to be the thing keeping them from really exploding up the standings. They can go shot for shot with any team. It’s a dangerous way to live but it means the Oil Caps are always in any game.
Up next: Oct. 29th @ Swan Valley, Oct. 30th vs Swan Valley
(-2) 8th – Neepawa Titans
This week: 1-1
Overall: 4-6-1-1
Impressive player: Forward Dallon Wilton – 1 goal 2 assists
The Titans just keep hanging around. They have a great offensive night but then follow it up by allowing the same number of goals they scored the night previous. They’re right in the clump of teams in the West but this weekend, they can make some noise. It won’t be easy but this is a real chance for the Titans and they have to seize it to be considered a legit threat.
Up next: Oct 29th @ OCN, OCT 30th @ OCN
(-2) 9th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This week: 1-1
Overall: 5-6-0-1
Impressive player: Forward Cody Barnes – 4 goals
One step back, one step forward, repeat. That seems to be the season so far for the Stamps. It’s tough to win in this league but the Stamps at times have made it look easy. They’ve shown they can score and score in bunches. They’ve also shown it’s easy to lose and given up some games they probably should have won. Chalk it up to a team finding its way but the hope has to be they find it soon.
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Virden, Oct. 30th @ Virden
(-1) 10th – Portage Terriers
This week: 0-2
Overall: 2-9-1
Impressive player: Goaltender Chris Fines – 0-2 with 69 saves
The Terriers deserve better than the 10th team on this list. They pushed the top team in the MJHL hard and never backed down. They just can’t generate much in the way of offense. They pressure all over the ice, they’re fast but they can’t score. With their work ethic, they draw penalties and if the power play can find a rhythm, it will result in more wins.
Up next: Oct. 29th @ Selkirk, Oct. 30th vs Selkirk
(+1) 11th – OCN Blizzard
This week: 0-2
Overall: 3-8-0-1
Impressive player: Forward Dain Sardelli – 2 goals, 1 assist
Despite where they are in the standings, teams can’t take a night off against the Blizzard. They’ve shown they can score some goals. They’ve proven they are right in games and now, they just need to find a way to get over the hump. A young team that battles together will grow together. Back-to-back home games might be just what they need to get going.
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Neepawa, Oct. 30th vs Neepawa
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This week: 0-2
Overall: 1-11
Impressive player: Forward Peter Magnus – 1 goal, 1 assist
Try as they might, they just come up a little short. The scores at times can appear lopsided but in almost every game this year, the Freeze have been right there. It’s tough for a young team but they’ve shown compete and mental toughness. They continue to learn and they continue to fight for respect. An opportunity to surprise many outside their locker room looms this weekend. Pick up a point or two or three or four against the top team and it’ll make people take notice
Up next: Oct. 29th vs Steinbach, Oct. 30th @ Steinbach
