(+3) 1st – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 33-14-1-3
Impressive Player: Thomas Anderson – 2-0 Record, 42 saves on 42 shots, 2 shutouts
Continuing to play with impressive detail, the Blizzard have strung together a very impressive run of giving up little to no goals. In their current 8-game winning streak, they’ve had 5 shutouts. The offense doesn’t need to be explosive, but they can be. Someone new doing damage every game makes them very difficult to defend.
Up Next: Mar 1st vs Portage, Mar 2nd vs WPG Freeze, Mar 3rd vs Dauphin
(+1) 2nd – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 41-7-3
Impressive Player: Kirk Mullen – 2 goals, 3 assists in 2 games
Playing with a lot of confidence, an experienced group knows it’s time to turn things up and they’ve done exactly that. Another impressive stretch of allowing 3 goals or more just once in the month, the defending Turnbull Cup champions are looking to clamp down on 1st place in the MJHL.
Up Next: Mar 2nd vs Niverville, Mar 3rd @ WPG Blues, Mar 6th @ Winkler
(+2) 3rd – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 37-8-2-3
Impressive Player: Connor Jensen – 3 assists in 2 games
Not every night is going to be point night and the Flyers have been able to grind out wins when needed. Strong depth throughout has them dangerous every time they touch the puck. From a patient approach where they wait to strike to an in-your-face, pile up the goals and sink a team, the Flyers are poised to use the rest of the regular season to dial in.
Up Next: Mar 1st vs Virden, Mar 6th vs Steinbach
(+2) 4th – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 32-15-1-1
Impressive Player: Naaman Hofer – 2 goals, 3 assists in 3 games
Even after a small step back in the last game, the Kings must be feeling confident in all areas of their game. They have put up big goal-scoring numbers while keeping goals against to a minimum. A disappointing effort now can be a benefit later as the group learns how to respond. Feeling like the team from 2 years ago and playing good, hard, sustainable hockey.
Up Next: Feb 28th @ Swan Valley, Mar 1st vs WPG Freeze, Mar 3rd @ Blizzard, Mar 5th @ Virden
(-3) 5th – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 35-9-3-3
Impressive Player: Trevor Hunt – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
A minor bump in the road for one of the league’s best offensive groups. Prior to the last two games, the Oil Caps potted an impressive 22 goals over 4 games. Goals will come. The defense and goaltending have shown they can keep them in games until the big shooters can get rolling. Some good tests early in the month should get the group motivated to make a statement.
Up Next: Mar 1st @ Winkler, Mar 2nd vs Neepawa, Mar 5th vs Dauphin
(-5) 6th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 21-25-1-3
Impressive Player: Aiden Moser – 1 goal, 2 assists in 3 games
Not the greatest time for a losing skid but not the absolute worst. The club has put themselves behind a bit but there’s plenty of runway and belief they can right the ship. The studs upfront know they’re going to be targeted so it’ll be up to them to find a way through tough defensive schemes. What the top guys can do will dictate where the team goes from here.
Up Next: Mar 1st @ Selkirk, Mar 3rd vs Selkirk, Mar 5th vs Niverville
(-) 7th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 0-1
Overall: 31-11-4-4
Impressive Player: Jayden Catellier – 0-1 Record, 20 saves on 21 shots
Having played so much hockey leading up to February, a lighter month gave the Terriers more time to focus on specifics meant for winning down the road. Not easy to find a rhythm with so much time off between games. The group will look to ramp things up with some stiff road tests upcoming. 6 of their last 8 regular season games are away from Stride Place.
Up Next: Mar 1st @ Blizzard, Mar 2nd @ Swan Valley, Mar 6th vs Neepawa
(+2) 8th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 24-25-1-3
Impressive Player: Cooper Kasprick – 3 goals, 4 assists in 3 games
Big offensive output at the perfect time. After watching their playoff spot slip away, the group didn’t pout, they picked up an emotional overtime win and then used that to slingshot their way back into control of their own fate. Scoring 20 goals over the last three games will have a lot of players feeling good about their games.
Up Next: Mar 1st vs Swan Valley, Mar 2nd @ Virden, Mar 6th @ Portage
(+2) 9th – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 25-22-3-1
Impressive Player: Ty Kennett – 2 goals, 3 assists in 3 games
A pair of massive wins to build on. After going through some turbulence, the Nighthawks are starting to look different. The hard lessons they’ve learned have helped put some edge to their game. Building in a bit of a buffer on a playoff spot but in no way will they rest on that. A tough three-game road stretch will be a prime time to show they are through the fog and ready to roll.
Up Next: Mar 1st @ WPG Blues, Mar 2nd @ Steinbach, Mar 5th @ Waywayseecappo
(-2) 10th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 0-1-1
Overall: 20-22-4-4
Impressive Player: Edward Knittig – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
With just one regulation win in the month of February, the Steelers refuse to go quietly, scratching and clawing out every point they can. The hill might be harder to climb but the group has proven they can never be counted out. A big week ahead with a very large contest looming later in March which could make or break their season. Need this week to make next week matter.
Up Next: Feb 28th @ WPG Freeze, Mar 1st vs Waywayseecappo, Mar 3rd @ Waywayseecappo, Mar 5th vs Wpg Freeze, Mar 6th @ WPG Blues
(-2) 11th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 0-1
Overall: 9-35-4-1
Impressive Player: Lucas Desousa – 1 goal in 1 game
While the overall season may be a disappointment, the Blues have a unique opportunity to play a big factor in what happens above them in the standings. Some key games this week with massive points on the line for the clubs coming into the Hockey For All Centre. Playing spoiler down stretch should bond the group and can make a tough season a little easier.
Up Next: Mar 1st vs Niverville, Mar 3rd vs Steinbach, Mar 6th vs Selkirk
(-) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-2-1
Overall: 8-37-4
Impressive Player: Xyon Kiemeney – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
Been the theme all year, the Freeze are competitive, work harder than almost anyone in the league but just run out of gas and eventually, the score goes against them. All the pieces are there, they have the skill, the goaltending and now it’s about gaining experience. It’s been a year of hard lessons, but the group has earned more respect than they perhaps ever had before.
Up Next: Feb 28th vs Selkirk, Mar 1st @ Dauphin, Mar 2nd @ Blizzard, Mar 5th @ Selkirk
(-) 13th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 0-1
Overall: 10-40-2
Impressive Player: Ian Ness – 1 goal, 1 assist in 1 game
Still time for certain players to step up and show they want to be a part of the long-term plan for the Stamps. This year has been dreadful but the good thing about the league is things can turn around quickly. Look for guys to continue to prove they can be part of the solution going forward. Whatever the results, at the end of the night, the players will give everything they have.
Up Next: Feb 28th vs Dauphin, Mar 1 @ Neepawa, Mar 2 vs Portage
