Photo: IceWaveMedia
1st – Steinbach Pistons (+2)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 36-10-2-1
A massive output from the offense, scoring 21 goals in three games while allowing just three. Single digit games remaining in the regular season and the push for top spot and home ice looks like it will come down to the wire.
Key Player: Connor Paronuzzi – 4 goals, 9 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 21st vs Dauphin, Feb. 22nd vs Virden
2nd – Niverville Nighthawks (-1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 29-14-2-1
Strong showing during a tough trip up north. Strong goaltending continues to be the backbone. Good depth scoring makes it a hard group to defend. Having success with some key bodies on the injury list.
Key Player: Sean Williams – 3 goals, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 20th @ Winkler, Feb. 22nd vs Dauphin, Feb. 23rd vs Winkler, Feb. 26th vs Portage
3rd – Portage Terriers (-1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 35-12-0-1
Keeping right within striking distance of the teams they’re trying to chase down. Battling through with bodies missing, their big guns are starting to fire again. Combine that with top notch goaltending. Deep, physical and ready for playoffs.
Key Player: Cam Bullinger – 4 goals in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 19th vs Virden, Feb. 21st vs Northern Manitoba, Feb. 23rd @ Swan Valley, Feb. 26th @ Niverville
4th – Winkler Flyers (+1)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 36-7-3-1
Getting back to what they know makes them successful. Constant pressure and goal scoring from up and down the lineup. The backend has been very strong both defending and kick starting the offence. A hard team to try and contain.
Key Player: Andrew Morton – 3 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 19th vs WPG Blues, Feb. 20th vs Niverville, Feb. 23rd @ Niverville, Feb. 25th @ Selkirk
5th – Dauphin Kings (-1)
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 34-14-1-1
A mixed bag for the team that continues to lead the MGEU West Division. While the results are at times varied, the constant is the limited goals they’re giving up. Not afraid to put pucks on net from all angels will help as things tighten up toward playoffs.
Key Player: Ty Pratte – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 21st @ Steinbach, Feb. 22nd @ Niverville, Feb. 23rd @ WPG Blues
6th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+2)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 28-18-0-1
A big road win against the team they’re trying to catch atop the MGEU West Division. While that may be unlikely, holding onto second for home ice in round one could prove the difference between coming out of the first round or going home early.
Key Player: Tyler Dahms – 3 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 21st @ Portage, Feb. 22nd @ WPG Blues, Feb. 25th @ Swan Valley
7th – Swan Valley Stampeders (+2)
Last week: 2-1-1
Overall: 14-28-5-2
Flat out refusing to go quietly into the summer. Putting points in the bank, doing all they can to get out of the basement of the MGEU West. Whether they do or not, the Stamps have shown there’s a solid foundation to build on.
Key Player: Ethan MacTavish – 5 goals, 1 assist in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 21st vs Waywayseecappo, Feb 23rd vs Portage, Feb. 25th vs Northern Manitoba
8th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+2)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 19-27-2-1
The up and down season continues for the Wolverines. Because things have gone one step forward then one step back of late, they’ll need a bit of luck but still in a position to grab a playoff spot, which says a lot about the resolve of the team.
Key Player: Jaxon Grosdidier – 3 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 21st @ Swan Valley, Feb. 22nd @ Neepawa, Feb. 25th vs Virden
9th – Neepawa Titans (-2)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 24-19-2-3
Able to find the back of the net while keeping goals down will lead to more wins than losses. Hard work paying off and regardless of where round one of the playoffs starts, the Titans won’t be taken lightly and wouldn’t shock many to come out as a winner.
Key Player: Cooper Kasprick – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 20th @ Virden, Feb. 22nd vs Waywayseecappo, Feb. 25th vs WPG Freeze
10th – Virden Oil Capitals (-4)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 20-25-1-1
A stumble that can serve as a wake-up call. Goal scoring will be tough to come by but locking in defensively as a unit will keep making them successful. Still hold their own fate in their hands with the number of games played. Can’t let points sneak past them.
Key Player: Tyson Draper – 3 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 19th @ Portage, Feb. 20th vs Neepawa, Feb. 22nd @ Steinbach, Feb. 25th @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 26th @ WPG Blues
11th – Selkirk Steelers (+1)
Last week: 0-1-0-1
Overall: 21-21-3-2
Right there in the thick of the fight, just not getting the results at the end of the game. Not that losing by one or two is a consolation, but the Steelers have the buildling blocks in place to be a threat the rest of the year and a larger threat into next season.
Key Player: Remy Hlady – 3 goals, 1 assist in 2 games.
Up Next: Feb. 21st vs WPG Freeze, Feb. 22nd @ WPG Freeze, Feb. 25th vs Winkler
12th – Winnipeg Blues (-1)
Last week: 0-3-1
Overall: 9-31-3-2
Grabbing on to positives, one of which is they’re a young group that will look to keep growing. There will still be nights where they’re a step or two behind but sometimes the process is about getting hit hard and coming right back.
Key Player: Evan Gradt – 1 goal, 1 assist in 4 games
Up Next: Feb.19th @ Winkler, Feb. 22nd vs Northern Manitoba, Feb. 23rd vs Dauphin, Feb. 26th vs Virden
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 6-38-1-2
Two more games off the schedule. Nothing much has changed of late. Still struggling to score. Goaltending can only hold up for so long when grade A chances continue to go against. Tough schedule ahead, but one win can maybe lead to another.
Key Player: Ben Chornomydz – 0-1 Record, 53 saves on 57 shots
Up Next: Feb. 21st @ Selkirk, Feb. 22nd vs Selkirk, Feb. 25th @ Neepawa
