Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
(+1) 1st – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 30-6-2-2
Impressive Player: Brody Beauchemin – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
While January can be a grind, the Flyers have managed to bank points and looking to make the jump into top spot in the overall MJHL. Having home ice throughout the playoffs would be a massive advantage for a club that feeds off their dedicated fan base. All the tools to have a lengthy playoff run are there.
Up Next: Feb 2nd vs Dauphin, Feb 4th vs Swan Valley
(+1) 2nd – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 24-12-1
Impressive Player: Havryil Simchuk – 1 goal in 1 game
After a slight stumble, the Kings rebounded in front of a packed Credit Union Place. They used the energy in the building to put forward a rock solid effort and come out on top of one of the best clubs in the league. A very impressive win for a team that has done a number of impressive things lately.
Up Next: Feb 2nd @ Winkler, Feb 3rd @ WPG Freeze, Feb 6th vs Neepawa
(+1) 3rd – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week : 1-0
Overall: 29-6-2-3
Impressive Player: Grady Lane – 1 goal, 2 assists in 1 game
Three wins in a row where the powerful Oil Caps outscored their opponents 16-5. The big guns continue to fire, everyone has bought into their role, the defenders are excelling in the system and goaltending keeps getting the job done. Doing it night in and night out the rest of the way will be the goal.
Up Next: Feb 4th @ Steinbach
(-3) 4th – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 32-6-3
Impressive Player: Brett Kaiser – 2 goals in 3 games
A pair of losses has brought the Pistons back toward the chasing pack. A busy month of February where they will face some very tough or desperate opponents might be exactly what the team needs as they look to start playing their best hockey consistently and lock down top spot in the league.
Up Next: Feb 2nd vs Blizzard, Feb 4th vs Virden, Feb 6th @ Selkirk
(+1) 5th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 24-12-1-3
Impressive Player: Quincy Supprien – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
A light month of January combined with a few games that got away from them, have put top spot in the division a bit out of reach while all of a sudden finding themselves fighting tooth and nail to hold onto second place. Young and structured, the group will look to put the hammer down starting with a tough 3 games in 3 night road trip.
Up Next: Feb 2nd @ Steinbach, Feb 3rd @ WPG Blues, Feb 4th @ Portage
(-1) 6th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 1-1-0-1
Overall: 26-9-4-4
Impressive Player: Slade Stanick – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
More good came out of the month for the Terrier who are finding ways to keep hanging around looking to make the jump into the top spots in the MGEU East. A deep forward group that seems to take turns being dangerous. When multiple lines click at the same time, it will make life very difficult for whomever they face off against.
Up Next: Feb 3rd vs Swan Valley, Feb 4th vs Blizzard, Feb 6th @ Waywayseecappo
(+1) 7th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 19-20-1
Impressive Player: Caden Hegarty – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Coming of a stretch where not only have the clawed their way back toward .500, the group has proven they have what it takes to win against anyone. A scrappy, hard working group that’s getting healthier and with that, more dangerous. If their big guns find the next level, the sky is the limit for a Neepawa club poised to make noise come playoffs.
Up Next: Feb 2nd vs WPG Freeze, Feb 3rd @ Selkirk, Feb 6th @ Dauphin
(-1) 8th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 1-0
Overall: 18-19-2-1
Impressive Player: Mathieu Catellier – 1 goal, 1 assist in 1 game
Playing very impressive hockey for quite a bit now, the Steelers have put themselves back in the conversation for a playoff spot. There’s still time but there’s not a lot of room for missing out on points. Elite goaltending has them in any game they suit up for while improving defense and a dangerous group of snipers have put fear into the MGEU East.
Up Next: Feb 3rd vs Neepawa, Feb 6th vs Steinbach
(+1) 9th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 14-22-1-3
Impressive Player: Sean Williams – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
A massive month is on tap for the Wolverines. If playoffs are in their future, the top players need to find another level, the supporting cast needs to chip in on both sides of the puck and their goaltender needs to keep being elite. A lot needs to go right but this group could be the type to catch lightning in a bottle and do something special.
Up Next: Feb 2nd vs WPG Blues, Feb 3rd vs Niverville, Feb 6th vs Portage
(-1) 10th – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 22-17-2
Impressive Player: Kaycee Coyle – 1 goal in 2 games
Don’t look now but a man dressed in red holding a steel hammer is quickly filling up the rear view mirrior. It could be exactly what the group needs. A little pressure, reminders that you can’t take nights off will be a good thing for a group that battled consistency of late. To be successful, not just get in the playoffs successful but really successful, everyone needs to buy in.
Up Next: Feb 3rd @ Waywayseecappo, Feb 7th vs WPG Freeze
(+2) 11th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-0-1
Overall: 7-28-3
Impressive Player: Jayden Ward – 2 assists in 1 game
Never quitting, the Freeze keep teams honest. Young and wanting, the Freeze continue to make teams earn whatever they’re able to get off them. No team takes them lightly any more. While the record may not look impressive, a deeper look into the overall year shows how big of a step the Freeze have taken. More chances to play spoiler await.
Up Next: Feb 2nd @ Neepawa, Feb 3rd vs Dauphin, Feb 7th @ Niverville
(-1) 12th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 10-32-2
Impressive Player: Amar Power – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Building for the future, the young Stamps are using the increased ice time to look at who can contribute next year. Trail by fire some nights, these burns will stick with those coming back and having a chip on their shoulder heading into the next year or two isnt a bad thing. Makes winning all the sweeter when it does eventually come.
Up Next: Feb 3rd @ Portage, Feb 4th @ Winkler
(-1) 13th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 7-30-3
Impressive Player: Brycen Gair – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
While positive results may be few and far between, there’s more to build on for a young team grinding their way through what might be the toughest schedule of their hockey lives. Shift after shift, the Blues continue to work on what’s going to make them successful in the future. Some nights are longer than others but it’s all part of the process.
Up Next: Feb 2nd @ Waywaysecappo, Feb 3rd vs Blizzard
