(-) 1st – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 37-14-1-3
Impressive Player: Sebastian Hamming – 3 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
There’s a sense of magic with the Blizzard. A long-sustained run of success shows the group has bought in, they’re on the same page, they’re pulling the rope in the same direction and they’re playing a way that will keep them finding victories. Even if the streak ends, the way they go about their work won’t.
Up Next: Mar 13th vs Dauphin, Mar 15th vs Waywayseecappo, Mar 17th @ Neepawa
(+1) 2nd – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 3-1
Overall: 41-9-2-3
Impressive Player: Jakob Jones – 3 goals, 2 assists in 4 games
Knocked down but not for long. Coaches want a response and scoring 15 goals over two games is quite an eye-opening result. Locked into second place in the MGEU East, the Flyers will have home ice in round one which will be key given how hard their fans make their building to play in.
Up Next: Mar 13th vs Virden, Mar 15th @ Selkirk, Mar 17th @ WPG Blues
(-1) 3rd – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 45-8-3
Impressive Player: Jackson Kostiuk – 2 goal, 2 assists in 3 games
Locked down top spot in the MJHL with a mix of wins, one by a lopsided amount while the other was slow smothering. Being the number one team means more pressure, but it also means home ice throughout their playoff run. Home has been very kind to Steinbach, posting a league-best 25 wins.
Up Next: Mar 15th vs Neepawa, Mar 16th @ WPG Freeze
(-) 4th – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 1-1-1
Overall: 35-15-2-1
Impressive Player: Jordan Bax – 3 goals in 3 games
Hasn’t been the best stretch for the Kings but a solid win at Credit Union Place may get things back on track. Had thoughts of perhaps hosting round 1 but it looks like they’ll be starting playoffs on the road which hasn’t been overly kind. Three away games to close out gives them a chance to change that.
Up Next: Mar 13th @ Blizzard, Mar 15th @ WPG Blues, Mar 16th @ Selkirk
(+2) 5th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 24-22-4-5
Impressive Player: Noel Olsonawski – 1-0 Record, 34 saves on 34 shots, 1 shutout
Fighting right down to the bitter end. The Steelers have had chances to quit but the group refuses to go quietly into the spring and summer. They’ll not only need to keep their play at a high level, but they’ll need some help as well. Doing all they can to make the points lost between OT or shootout irrelevant.
Up Next: Mar 13th @ Waywayseecappo, Mar 15th vs Winkler, Mar 16th vs Dauphin
(-1) 6th – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 38-11-3-3
Impressive Player: Noel Englot – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Have yet to officially lock in the top seed in the MGEU West but doubtful they’re too worried about that. The group will want to start to hit their stride now. Three games against teams that will push them in different ways, but they’ll look to be the aggressor and force teams to adapt to them, not the other way around
Up Next: Mar 13th @ Winkler, Mar 15th vs Niverville, Mar 17th @ Waywayseecappo
(+1) 7th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 32-12-4-4
Impressive Player: Adler Johnston – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
The Terriers are done with the regular season. 3 games left but won’t do anything in the standings regardless of outcome. They’ve made some big statements and have put the league on notice. They’re ready to make some serious noise come playoff time. Stay healthy, stay hungry, and mentally dial in for a whopper of a playoff bout.
Up Next: Mar 13th vs WPG Blues, Mar 15th @ WPG Freeze, Mar 16th vs Neepawa
(-2) 8th – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 28-24-3-1
Impressive Player: Brendan Bottem – 3 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Coming right down to the wire but control their destiny. Not having to scoreboard watch is nice but it only stays that was as long as they handle their end of things. No easy games at this time of year. Every point is critical but no need to panic, yet. Play playoff like hockey for two games and take it from there.
Up Next: Mar 15th @ Virden, Mar 16th vs Swan Valley
(-) 9th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 27-27-1
Impressive Player: Hayden Stocks – 2 goals, 5 assists in 3 games
Could officially punch their playoff ticket as early as tonight, pending the outcome of the team chasing them. Regardless of if it’s tonight or this weekend, the Titans hold their future in their own hands. They don’t back down from anyone which is good, since their final three games will be very tough.
Up Next: Mar 15th @ Steinbach, Mar 16th @ Portage, Mar 17th vs Blizzard
(-) 10th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 22-26-1-3
Impressive Player: Owen Wheatley – 2 assists in 2 games
Hanging on by their very last claw. The Wolverines need to win out while the team they’re chasing needs to lose out. While the odds may be long, the group has put themselves in a position to be in the conversation in the final days. That’s been earned and was far from a guarantee earlier in the year.
Up Next: Mar 13th vs Selkirk, Mar 15th @ Blizzard, Mar 17th vs Virden
(+1) 11th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 11-43-3
Impressive Player: Landen Gulutzan – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
While they couldn’t deliver a home win in their final game in their own barn, they did win the game before, giving the fans and players something positive. It’s been a very hard year but there are things the group can take going forward. Early candidate for bounce back team in 2024-25.
Up Next: Mar 16th @ Niverville
(-1) 12th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 8-43-5
Impressive Player: Elliott Perrault – 1 goal, 2 assists in 3 games
The Freeze have played better than their record indicates. Many times, throughout the season they’ve jumped up and surprised teams. They work hard, they battle, and they get saves. They just can’t compete for a full 60 minutes and games snowball. There are pieces to build around as they grow up.
Up Next: Mar 15th vs Portage, Mar 16th vs Steinbach
(-) 13th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 0-4
Overall: 9-41-4-1
Impressive Player: Tyson Vouriot – 3 assists in 4 games
Three games left in the year to get one win that will push them to double digits. Not the year they were expecting. Fighting to stay out of the basement of the division and league, the Blues have pushed but just fallen short more times than not. Some guys have stepped up and will take a bigger role going forward.
Up Next: Mar 13th @ Portage, Mar 15th vs Dauphin, Mar 17th vs Winkler
