Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
1st – Selkirk Steelers (+1)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 6-0
Getting the job done by committee. Every player has bought in and is doing their part to win. The only undefeated team left in the MJHL. Best goal differential at +17.
Key Player: Landon Jamieson – 1 goal, 6 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th vs WPG Freeze, Oct. 5th @ Virden, Oct. 8th vs WPG Blues
2nd – Dauphin Kings (-1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 4-1
Rolling along through the early part of the season. A mix of opponents in October could see the Kings pile up points. Shoot a ton of shots on net, averaging 30 plus per game.
Key Player: Ty Pratte – 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th vs Portage
3rd – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 4-1
Small stumble but still a terrific start spent mainly on the road. Short homestand will give a boost before heading back out to an extended but winnable road trip.
Key Player: Quincy Supprien – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th vs Steinbach, Oct. 5th vs Waywayseecappo, Oct. 8th @ Virden
4th – Steinbach Pistons (+1)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 3-1
Hard working, consistent effort to pick up a pair of wins. Strong defense and goaltending keeping goals against down. Special teams have been very strong.
Key Player: Mathis Laplante – 3 goals in 1 game
Up Next: Oct. 4th @ Northern Manitoba, Oct. 5th @ Swan Valley
5th – Niverville Nighthawks (+2)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 4-1
An impressive 15 goals over two games shows Niverville big time weapons. Have scored 4 or more in 4 of 5 games. League leading 16 players with multiple points.
Key Player: Ty Kennett – 5 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th @ Virden, Oct. 9th @ WPG Blues
6th – Winkler Flyers (+2)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 2-2
No rust after an unexpected stretch between games. Going out on the road and shutting out one of the top teams will give a jolt to the lineup and put the league on notice.
Key Player: Liam Ernst – 1-0, 30 save shutout
Up Next: Oct. 6th vs Portage
7th – Virden Oil Capitals (+2)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 2-3
Big bounce back against one of the top teams in the division. Keeping pace and not letting the teams above them pull away early. Will find more offense as a group.
Key Player: Luke Robson – 1 goal in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th vs Niverville, Oct. 5th vs Selkirk, Oct. 8th @ Northern Manitoba
8th – Neepawa Titans (-4)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 2-3
Brought down to earth but lots of positives despite a losing skid. Strong goaltending always gives them a chance. More dangerous upfront than the 3 goals in 3 games suggests.
Key Player: Mason Hartley – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
UP Next: Oct. 4th vs WPG Blues, Oct. 8th @ Waywayseecappo
9th – Portage Terriers (-3)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 1-3
Growing pains but shouldn’t last long. Too talented of a team to stay down for long. Will need to find different ways to score while reducing the shot amount and quality.
Key Player: Adler Johnston – 1 goal in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th @ Dauphin, Oct. 6th @ Winkler, Oct. 8th @ WPG Freeze
10th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+1)
Last week: 1-0
Overall: 1-2
Very positive step in the right direction. Can’t nail down a playoff spot early but can make it much harder by not getting points now. Needed a win and got a win for new Head Coach.
Key Player: Jonah Marshall – 2 goals, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Sept. 25th @ WPG Blues, Sept. 27th vs Selkirk, Sept. 29th vs Steinbach
11th – Swan Valley Stampeders (+1)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 1-4
A solid win but a tough weekend overall where goals for are still hard to come by. Goaltending is strong but can only hold the fort for so long when giving up so many shots.
Key Player: Darren Hunt – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
UP Next: Oct. 4th vs Waywayseecappo, Oct. 5th vs Steinbach, Oct. 9th vs Virden
12th – Winnipeg Blues (-)
Last week: 1-1-1-1
Overall: 1-3-1-1
Gutsy effort against the Steelers on top of some better play. Scoring is still hard to come by. Don’t have the weapons to open the game up but shown flashes of positives to come.
Key Player: Tate Dolinsky – 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th @ Neepawa, Oct. 8th @ Selkirk
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-3)
Last week: 0-2-1
Overall: 0-3-1
Like last year, the Freeze hang around in games but eventually run out of gas and dig a hole they can’t climb out of. Need to be better reducing shots while finding their own goals.
Key Player: Liam Goertzen – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 4th @ Selkirk, Oct. 8th vs Portage
