Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
1st – Portage Terriers (+1)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 27-10
Strong and deep upfront combined with elite level goaltending makes the Terriers a power house. The defense can hold the fort and withstand other teams best. Dangerous group ramping up at the right time.
Key Player: Mitchell Kathler – 1-0 record, 45 save shutout
Up Next: Jan. 22nd vs Niverville, Jan. 24th @ Selkirk, Jan. 25th @ WPG Freeze
2nd – Winkler Flyers (-1)
Last week: 1-0-1
Overall: 28-6-3
The win streak may have come to an end despite a very strong comeback. Still atop the standings thanks to 21-consecutive games with at least a point. Overall, very few flaws or weaknesses anywhere on this team.
Key Player: Jayce Legaarden – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs Northern Manitoba, Jan. 25th vs Northern Manitoba
3rd – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 23-13-2-1
Win the games you’re supposed to win might be cliche but when you’re a team that’s looking for consistency, it’s more than just winning, it’s how you go about it. The Nighthawks are going about it the right way. The winning way.
Key Player: Avery Laliberte – 4 assists in 1 game
Up Next: Jan. 22nd @ Portage
4th – Dauphin Kings (+1)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 26-9-1
Going about and handling their business. It doesn’t have to be loud or showy, the Kings just do what they must do and get the job done as a group. Piling up points and running away with the division. Their hard work might pay off most in round 2 of playoffs.
Key Player: Cayden Glover – 3 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 25th vs Virden
5th – Neepawa Titans (+3)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 20-15-2-2
Good teams find a way to get points out of tough games. Really good teams get the extra point. The Titans are a really good team right now. Back-to-back wins over the top contenders in the MGEU East have them climbing up to host round 1 of playoffs.
Key Player: Tim Tychonick – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs WPG Blues, Jan. 25th @ WPG Blues
6th – Steinbach Pistons (-2)
Last week: 1-1-0-1
Overall: 28-8-2-1
Shaking off a mini skid with a strong home win, the Pistons offense has had its struggles of late. When they have put up big numbers, it seems like they’ve given up a similar number. Lots of time to get things dialed in and it will need to be a complete group effort.
Key Player: Connor Paronuzzi – 4 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd vs Waywayseecappo, Jan. 24th vs Swan Valley
7th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-1)
Last week: 0-0
Overall: 23-13-0-1
Having a game postponed means the group had the week off. Caught in a spot where the team they’re chasing is moving away while the team chasing them is catching up. Games in hand will prove to be vital for holding onto their spot or possibly moving up.
Key Player: Miguel Bouvier – 21 goals, 24 assists in 37 games (Leading scorer)
Up Next: Jan. 24th @ Winkler, Jan. 25th @ Winkler
8th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+3)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 15-22-2
Refusing to just let the season slip away. Battling every night and getting rewarded with a three-game winning streak, putting them right back into a playoff spot. A scrappy group that refuses to quit. Very strong efforts leading to positive results.
Key Player: Rhett Perrin – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd @ Steinbach, Jan. 24th @ WPG Freeze
9th – Swan Valley Stampeders (-)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 9-25-3-1
Went on a nice run a while back but now starting to fade. One step forward then one step back will not get them where they want to go. Given the start, the fact the team is still battling with a chance to catch 4th is something positive to build on.
Key Player: Ben Groome – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th @ Steinbach, Jan. 25th @ Selkirk
10th – Virden Oil Capitals (-1)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 15-23
A tough loss at home sees them slip out of a playoff spot but there’s a belief with the group that they can not just claw their way back in but make life very difficult for whomever they play once they get there. Every game from here will have a playoff like feel to it.
Key Player: Adler Johnston – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 23rd vs WPG Freeze, Jan 25th @ Dauphin
11th – Selkirk Steelers (-1)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 20-16-1-1
Hanging around but slowly starting to fade back as the teams ahead of them surge forward. Have the big horses to get the job done most nights but could be wearing down having to do so much of the heavy lifting. There’s time but points nightly is now an absolute must.
Key Player: Owen Johnston – 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs Portage, Jan. 25th vs Swan Valley
12th – Winnipeg Blues (-)
Last week: 0-1-1
Overall: 7-24-2-2
Showing resolve and fighting as a group. Taking the lessons from this year moving forward with a group that has a chip on their shoulder. Use the rest of the season to develop and push some guys that will take a bigger role next year.
Key Player: Tate Dolinsky – 1 goal in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th @ Neepawa, Jan. 25th vs Neepawa
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 4-30-1-2
Going through more of the same. Credit to the players that keep going forward, keep pushing for their development and building toward what will come. It can’t be easy but the group now is sticking together and will get through it one way or another.
Key Player: Julian Fedora – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Jan. 24th vs Waywayseecappo, Jan. 25th vs Portage
