Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
1st – Winkler Flyers (-)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 24-6-2
Coming out of the break equally as refreshed as they are determined. A strong defensive group that moves the puck around with force. A complete team looking to ramp up for a lengthy run.
Key Player: Nicholas McKee – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th @ Selkirk, Jan 12th @ Portage, Jan 14th @ Waywayseecappo
2nd – Steinbach Pistons (+1)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 26-6-2
Perfect coming out of the gate since Christmas, the Pistons continue to have their depth tested but the group continues to not only be up for the challenge, but they’ve also thrived.
Key Player: Grady Hoffman – 4 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th vs Niverville
3rd – Portage Terriers (+3)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 24-10
Once the calendar turns, it feels like it becomes the Terriers time to take over. Strong wins to get the ball rolling, they’ll look to push up the standings and find the next level to their game.
Key Player: Nolan Nenow – 1 goal, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 8th vs Dauphin, Jan. 11th @ Neepawa, Jan 12th vs Winkler
4th – Niverville Nighthawks (-2)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 21-12-2
Putting some distance between themselves and the team chasing them for the playoffs. Teams ahead of them are also starting to space out a bit. Need to grab points vs teams their chasing.
Key Player: Adam Vigfusson – 1 goal, 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th @ Steinbach, Jan. 12th vs Virden
5th – Swan Valley Stampeders (+4)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 8-21-3-1
Pretty impressive that the Stamps have worked their way back into the playoff conversation. Still, lots of work to do but there must be a sense of belief that this group has what it takes.
Key Player: Ben Groome – 3 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 10th vs WPG Blues, Jan. 11th @ Waywayseecappo, Jan. 14th @ Dauphin
6th – Dauphin Kings (+1)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 22-8-1
Sitting atop the MGEU West is always good. It’s even better when you have a boatload of games in hand on the teams behind you. This is the time for their goaltender to take over.
Key Player: Havryil Simchuk – 2 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 8th @ Portage, Jan. 11th vs WPG Freeze, Jan. 14th vs Swan Valley
7th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+1)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 22-13-1
Finding their groove again after putting December in their rearview mirror. Hold their own fate when it comes to home ice in round 1 but the group has shown they can make a run and perhaps challenge for top spot.
Key Player: Quincy Supprien – 2 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 11th vs WPG Blues
8th – Neepawa Titans (-3)
Last week: 0-1-0-1
Overall: 18-15-1-2
Not an ideal start to the post-holiday portion but showed no quit in one game and managed to scrape out a point in the other. Good signs for what comes but know they’ll need to find more scoring to compete nightly.
Key Player: Dawson Andries – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th vs Portage
9th – Selkirk Steelers (-5)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 19-13-0-1
Still in the thick of the fight for that final playoff spot in the MGEU East but some tough losses have put them in chase position. Do have games in hand but need to find a way to claw at least a point nightly.
Key Player: Wyatt Witham – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th vs Winkler, Jan. 12th @ WPG Freeze, Jan. 14th vs Virden
10th – Virden Oil Capitals (+2)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 13-21
A much-needed offensive explosion for a team that has struggled to find the back of the net. Looking to take those positives and keep building, maybe even buying some space from the chasing teams behind them.
Key Player: Liam Goertzen – 2 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 12th @ Niverville, Jan. 14th vs Selkirk
11th – Winnipeg Blues (-2)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 6-22-1-2
Still battling, still putting up a fight and showing signs of building for the future. Beating their in-city rival also is a boost as it looks like they’ll finish ahead of them in the standings.
Key Player: Carson White – 3 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan.10th @ Swan Valley, Jan. 11th @ Northern Manitoba
12th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (-2)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 11-21-2
Just can’t seem to find that step to get in the playoffs and run away with it. It’s been within their grasp many times, but the silver lining is they’re right there with more chances to capture it going forward.
Key Player: Jaxon Grosdidier – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th vs Swan Valley, Jan. 14th vs Winkler
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 4-26-1-2
Doing what they can given what’s they’ve had to go through recently. The players are giving it all that they have but with the short bench and the talent they go up against, it’s just not enough.
Key Player: Nicholas Carlson – 1 goal, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 11th @ Dauphin, Jan. 12th vs Selkirk
