(+2) 1st – Steinbach Pistons
This week: 2-0
Overall: 14-2
Impressive Player: Forward Dawson Milliken – 4 goals, 2 assists
A complete team effort on Saturday followed up by a gutsy come from behind overtime win on Sunday keeps Steinbach ahead of the chasing pack in the East. The fact they earned 4 points is huge with the Blues up next and sitting just 4 points back. Steinbach is 3rd in the CJHL rankings this week.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Blues, Nov 13th @ Blues
(-1) 2nd – Dauphin Kings
This week: 1-1
Overall: 12-4
Impressive Player: Goaltender Carson Cherepak – 1 win, 1 loss with 58 saves in 2 games
Coming away with 6 of a possible 8 points vs Waywayseecappo has the Kings on top of the West and in a very good position to go on a tidy run over the rest of the month. They’ve shown they can put up big time scoring numbers but also win the tight checking games as well. A lot of positives coming out of that Wolverines series.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Stampeders, Nov 13th @ Stampeders
(-1) 3rd – Winnipeg Blues
This week: 1-1
Overall: 13-3
Impressive Player: Forward Michael Tanchak – 1 goal
Picking themselves up after getting smacked in the mouth the night before, the Blues made a statement with a hard-working come from behind win to take 3 of 4 away from Winkler. With that strong effort, they’ve put themselves in a position to seriously challenge for top spot in the East.
Up next: Nov 12th @ Pistons, Nov 13th vs Pistons
(+1) 4th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This week: 1-0-1
Overall: 11-4-1
Impressive player: Goaltender Liam Tereposky – 1 win, 1 overtime loss, made 55 saves in 2 games
What a bounce back weekend for the Wolverines who were staring down the barrel of being put in the Kings review for first in the division. But, a scrappy performance over the weekend has them right there and showing no signs of going away any time soon. They won’t look too far ahead but there are some points on the table that Wayway should be able to grab if they play like they did vs Dauphin
Up next: Nov 12th @ Neepawa, Nov 13th @ Neepawa
(+1) 5 – Winkler Flyers
This week: 1-1
Overall: 9-6-0-1
Impressive player: Forward Gavin Waltz
Following a big win over the Blues, the game on Saturday is one the Flyers would like to have back. The perhaps let at least a point slip away but look for them to learn from it, not sulk. They’ve shown they have what it takes to not just keep up with but beat the top teams in the division. With Selkirk within striking distance, the Flyers need to play like the can or risk waking up in a few weeks in 4th place.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Steelers, Nov 13th @ Steelers
(-2) 6 – Selkirk Steelers
This week: 1-1
Overall: 8-7-0-1
Impressive player: Defenseman Spencer Penner – 1 goal, 2 assists
The Steelers walked away with two points from the weekend but could have just as easily came away with all four. Mind you, coming away with zero was also a very real possibility. The Steelers continue to grow as a team and they have shown they have a belief they are never out of it. They’ll want to have a strong showing vs Winkler and have a chance to secure a top 4, if not top 3 spot in the East.
Up next: Nov 12th @ Flyers, Nov 13th vs Flyers
(-) 7 – Virden Oil Capitals
This week: 1-1
Overall: 7-8-1
Impressive player: Forward Dylan Halliday – 2 goals, 2 assists
Another weekend where it was a loss followed up by a solid bounce back win. The problem with the Oil Caps standing still in the standings, is that it’s allowed other teams to catch up. They still have the top two teams in their sights but have four teams around them, hungry to push them down. Back-to-back home games in front of a rowdy Tundra Oil and Gas Place crowd may be what the doctor ordered to get the Oil Caps a few more points in the bank without giving any away.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Blizzard, Nov 13th vs Blizzard
(-) 8th – Neepawa Titans
This week: 1-0-0-1
Overall: 5-8-1-2
Impressive player: Forward Will Highet – 2 assists
Getting just a single point over the weekend may not seem big but for the Titans, it was huge. They couldn’t afford to give up any more to the Blizzard and with taking their last game to a shootout, got the point that keeps them tied for 5th. They haven’t let any other teams take points off them without getting a few themselves which is a great characteristic to have with the challenge of the Wolverines looming.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Titans, Nov 13th @ Titans
(+2) 9th – OCN Blizzard
This week: 2-0
Overall: 6-9-0-1
Impressive player: Forward Drayden Kurbatoff – 1 goal, 2 assists
Big weekend for the Blizzard who pulled themselves out of the basement in the West and are back on even footing with the teams ahead of them. A bonus is they’re feeling really good about themselves and look poised to perhaps take another step. Their next two games being in a hostile environment won’t be easy but they’ve shown they don’t mind a challenge. In fact, they may just be the kind of group that needs it to play their best.
Up next: Nov 12th @ Oil Capitals, Nov 13th @ Oil Capitals
(-1) 10th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This week: 1-1
Overall: 7-8-1
Impressive player: Forward Quinn Mulder – 2 goals, 2 assists
Two points earned. Two points just out of reach. Swan had a chance to leap frog but instead, things remained exactly how they were before the start of the four-game set vs Virden. Nothing was lost but also, nothing was gained. They remain right in the middle of the log jammed West but have shown they can be a team that can compete with anyone. The just need to sustain it for longer than a game or two.
Up next: Nov 12th @ Kings, Nov 13th vs Kings
(+1) 11th – Portage Terriers
This week: 1-0-0-1
Overall: 3-11-1-1
Impressive player: Defenseman Brandon McCartney – 1 goal, 2 assists
Desperate for a win, the Terriers did slightly better as they come away with a hard earned 3 out of a possible 4 points. It wasn’t always pretty and it sure wasn’t relaxing in that third period Saturday night, but a young team found a way to get a late goal and then hold on. While it wasn’t a massive leap up the standings, it was a big-time leap for a team needing some positivity heading into a four-game series with the team hoping to catch them.
Up next: Nov 12th vs Freeze, Nov 13th @ Freeze
(-2) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This week: 0-1-1
Overall: 2-11-1
Impressive player: Forward Zach Ashworth – 2 goals
The Freeze showed again it doesn’t matter what happened the game before, you have to come ready to play or they’ll take advantage. They took the Pistons right to the edge and throughout the series, they showed they didn’t look out of place for long stretches. In fact, they learned how to dictate play, come together defensively and also discovered some depth scoring. Positive things to build on despite the results.
Up next: Nov 12th @ Portage, Nov 13th vs Portage
