Photo: Todd Pederson
(-) 1st – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 24-5-2-2
Impressive Player: Braeden Lewis – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Coming out of the break and not missing a beat, the Oil Caps seem to be putting all the pieces together on a consistent basis. With elite scoring threats, depth scoring, strong defenders and goaltending, the group will look to keep taking steps towards what they hope to be a lengthy playoff run.
Up Next: Jan 12th vs Selkirk, Jan 13th @ Selkirk, Jan 16th @ Neepawa
(-) 2nd – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 2-0-0-1
Overall: 22-10-0-3
Impressive Player: Sebastian Hamming – 1 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Winning as a team and contributing by committee, the Blizzard keep proving they are for real. Attacking in all zones, forcing quick decisions and capitalizing on mistakes, the group continues to put in top level effort and picking up playoff style wins now, which forecasts well for when the games matter most.
Up Next: Jan 12th @ Neepawa, Jan 14th vs Dauphin
(+2) 3rd – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 26-4-3-3
Impressive Player: David Cote – 1 goal, 3 assists in 2 games
The MJHL’s top team came out of the break ready to make a statement and they did with a pair of impressive wins. Goal scoring has picked back up, goaltending has been elite and healthy bodies are making their way back into an already deep lineup, the defending champs are looking to really ramp things up.
Up Next: Jan 12th vs Swan Valley, Jan 14th @ Niverville, Jan 17th vs Waywayseecappo
(+3) 4th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 4-0
Overall: 24-5-2-2
Impressive Player: Dalton Andrew – 4 goals, 5 assists in 4 games
By hammer or scalpel, the Flyers get the job done. Coming out of the break and looking to put the league on notice, Winkler has carved up their opponents by piling up goals or imposing their will physically. A busy month with 11 games couldn’t have started better results wise or in how they’ve earned those results.
Up Next: Jan 13th @ Neepawa, Jan 17th vs WPG Freeze
(+5) 5th – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 19-11-1
Impressive Player: Cole Sheffield – 3-0 Record, 83 saves on 85 shots, 2 shutouts
The Kings did exactly what they needed to do coming into 2024. Picking up three wins while allowing a total of two goals, Dauphin will look to build as their January schedule gets tougher. A lot of divisional games gives them the chance to climb the standings or put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
Up Next: Jan 13th vs Portage, Jan 14th @ Blizzard, Jan 16th vs Swan Valley
(-2) 6th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 22-8-4-3
Impressive Player: Gabriel LaFlamme – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
A solid bounce back after coming out flat in their post-holiday game, the Terriers showed they have what it takes to be deadly in all areas. Having played the most games in the MJHL to this point, Portage will have a more spaced out January which should help them be at their best and looking to bank serious points.
Up Next: Jan 13th @ Dauphin, Jan 17th vs WPG Blues
(-4) 7th – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 0-1-1
Overall: 20-13-2-7
Impressive Player: Ty Kennett – 3 goals in 2 games
A disappointing stumble where they had control a couple of times against one of the top teams in the country only to watch it slip away, can turn into a positive for a Nighthawks club looking to become a complete, sixty minute team. Bolstering their forwards with some key adds prior to the deadline will surely help.
Up Next: Jan 13th vs WPG Blues, Jan 14th vs Steinbach
(+3) 8th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 13-19-0-3
Impressive Player: Sean Williams – 3 goals, 4 assists in 3 games
Refusing to go quietly, the Wolverines have battled through tough stretches and are still ready to pounce into a playoff spot. Consistency will be the big key to Waywayseecappo’s hopeful rise in the standings. They have the scoring to be dangerous but keeping pucks out of their own net needs to be a priority.
Up Next: Jan 17th @ Steinbach
(-3) 9th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 14-17-1-1
Impressive Player: Rocco La Cara – 2 assists in 3 games
The ups and downs continue for Selkirk who will look to regain some form of what made them successful prior to the break. It’s a tough balance of getting goals without leaving the goaltender to hold the fort alone, but Selkirk has proven just when you think they’re down and out, they find another gear and make a push. That time has to be now.
Up Next: Jan 12th @ Virden, Jan 13th vs Virden
(-2) 10th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 15-18-1
Impressive Player: Mason Hartley – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
Scoring two goals over three games is simply not good enough for a team wanting to make noise the rest of the regular season and into playoffs. The Titans know what they need to do to be successful and will look to turn the frustration from the lack of recent production into fuel to find the back of the net like they did in the first half.
Up Next: Jan 12th vs Blizzard, Jan 13th vs Winkler, Jan 16th vs Virden
(-2) 11th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 8-25-2
Impressive Player: Aidan Taylor – 2 assists in 3 games
Having sent most of their veterans out, giving them a chance to compete for a championship, the youth movement is officially on. A young group will have some growing pains but can use the increase in ice time to develop as individuals and as a team. Some nights will be like going to the dentist but it can bring a group together with a chip on the shoulder for next year.
Up Next: Jan 12th @ Steinbach, Jan 13th @ WPG Freeze, Jan 14th @ WPG Blues, Jan 16th @ Dauphin
(+1) 12th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 6-23-3
Impressive Player: Evan Gradt – 1 goal in 2 games
Back-to-back tough home efforts have the Blues struggling to find positives. A young and hungry group is going through the grind of the season, finding ways to stay competitive but eventually, they run out of gas and the score can get blown up. Sticking with young guys and watching them grow is great if they’re committed to the process beyond just one year.
Up Next: Jan 13th @ Niverville, Jan 14th vs Swan Valley, Jan 17th @ Portage
(-1) 13th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 6-24-2
Impressive Player: Nicolas Rempel – 0-3 Record, 116 saves on 132 shots
In a season that has seen a lot of positives, the last week has shown the Freeze still have a lot of growing pains to go through. Having yet to score a goal in three games, the group will look to put past results behind them and go forward. Perseverance will eventually pay off.
Up Next: Jan 12th @ Portage, Jan 13th vs Swan Valley, Jan 17th @ Winkler
