(-) 1st – Portage Terriers
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 41-10-1-1
Impressive Player: Forward Ryan Botterill – 2GP/5G/0A/5PTS
Another week, another couple of wins for the Terriers who are pulling away from not just the pack in the MJHL but from teams across the country. 17 goals scored in two games with everyone contributing will be a major confidence boost.
Up Next: Mar 8th vs Winkler, Mar 10th vs Dauphin, Mar 11th @ Dauphin, Mar 15th vs Niverville
(+2) 2nd – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 31-16-5-1
Impressive Player: Goaltender Kobe Grant – 3 wins/99 saves on 103 shots/ 1 shutout
Surging at the right time and led by the MJHL’s Top Goaltender, the Stamps look like this run is not only sustainable through the regular season but into playoffs. A good home stand should get people even more excited about the magic growing in Swan Valley.
Up Next: Mar 8th vs Neepawa, Mar 10th vs Steinbach, Mar 11th vs Niverville
(-) 3rd – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 32-20-1
Impressive Player: Forward Nolan Chastko – 2GP/3G/0A/3PTS
Handling their business as they have for weeks now, the Oil Caps look primed to enter the post-season and do some damage. Surprisingly, the only playoff team right now that has a minus-goal differential (-4). Shows that the team doesn’t need to outscore their issues, they just do whatever it takes to win.
Up Next: Mar 10th @ Selkirk, Mar 12th vs Selkirk, Mar 14th @ Waywayseecappo
(+2) 4th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 3-0
Overall: 33-13-6-1
Impressive Player – Forward Brody Beauchemin – 3GP/4G/1A/5PTS
Hitting all the right notes of late, the Flyers have found their scoring touch at the right time. Potting 12 goals over 3 games, Winkler is right there looking to jump into second place but even if they can’t, they’ll feel confident starting round one on the road.
Up Next: Mar 8th @ Portage, Mar 11th vs Neepawa, Mar 15th vs Steinbach
(-3) 5th – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-1
Overall: 39-14
Impressive Player: Forward Kirk Mullen – 3GP/2G/4A/6PTS
Survived a scare against the Titans but couldn’t do the same against a desperate Steelers team. Of late, any time there’s a penalty for Steinbach or their opponent, there’s a goal. Steinbach’s power play has cranked it up but their PK has not. Shorthanded chances and goals against have also proved costly.
Up Next: Mar 10th @ Swan Valley, Mar 11th @ OCN, Mar 15th @ Winkler
(+4) 6th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 0-0
Overall: 30-19-2-3
Impressive Player: Forward Riley Zimmerman – 54GP/25G/30A/55PTS
The Blizzard had to sit by and watch as the teams around them carved out points. As the dust begins to settle, OCN is still right there for top spot in the MGEU West or at the very least, having a battle for second and home ice in round one. Not bad all considering.
Up Next: Mar 10th vs Niverville, Mar 11th vs Steinbach
(+6) 7th – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 2-1-0-1
Overall: 29-21-2-2
Impressive Player: Forward Mathew Gough – 4GP/3G/6A/9PTS
Massive win in their last contest gives them a bit of space for that 4th and final playoff spot. Won’t be resting on their modest lead, they’ll look to really put the hammer down in their final four remaining games and keep their destiny in their own hands. Home ice is definitely not out of the question.
Up Next: Mar 10 @ Portage, Mar 11th vs Portage, Mar 13th @ WPG Freeze
(+3) 8th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 1-1
Overall: 21-24-8-1
Impressive Player: Forward Briley Wood – 2GP/4G/2A/6PTS
While they may be mathematically eliminated, the Titans still put on one heck of a show. They work hard, they are fast and they are a team that is not afraid to trade chances. They’ve proven to be more than a handful and show no signs of rolling over to close out their season.
Up Next: Mar 8th @ Swan Valley, Mar 11th @ Winkler
(-2) 9th – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 1-2
Overall: 24-25-1-3
Impressive Player: Forward Josh Paulhus – 3GP/3G/2A/5PTS
Not exactly lighting the world on fire but the Nighthawks have done enough in the past few games to earn a cushion on the final playoff spot in the MGEU East. Learning as they go, they’ll look to use the rest of the regular season as a launch pad as it appears they will be the underdogs to open round one.
Up Next: Mar 10th @ OCN, Mar 11th @ Swan Valley, Mar 15th @ Portage
(-2) 10th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 1-3
Overall: 21-27-4-2
Impressive Player: Forward Owen Weihs – 3GP/2G/1A/3PTS
Their playoff hopes may be on life support but there is still a chance. Given how they started the season, playing competitive games this late into the year is something that will help the returning group next year regardless of what comes this season. Not to count them out. They have zero room for error.
Up Next: Mar 10th vs Virden, Mar 12th @ Virden
(-2) 11th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-2
Overall: 4-48-3
Impressive Player: Forward Elliot Perrault – 3GP/2G/3A/5PTS
A season of few highlights grinds its way down for a Freeze team that despite all the hardships, haven’t given up. Look for them to battle with all they have to keep out of the 50-loss club.
Up Next: Mar 13th vs Dauphin, Mar 15th vs Wpg Blues
(+1) 12th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 0-2-1
Overall: 16-30-7-1
Impressive Player: Forward Brandon Funk – 3GP/1G/2A/3PTS
A disappointing stretch continues for a club that will classify this season as a massive disappointment. Still a chance to have some effect on the playoff race as they take on a couple clubs desperate for points. The role of spoiler is no conciliation for a team that expected more.
Up Next: Mar 9th @ Waywayseecappo, Mar 11th @ Waywayseecappo, Mar 15th @ WPG Freeze
(-1) 13th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 0-3
Overall: 27-21-3-2
Impressive Player: Forward Carson Baptiste – 2GP/0G/2A/2PTS
The absolute worst time to struggle as badly as they have. Goal scoring has evaporated. The goaltender has done all he can and have given his team a chance and with that, they’ll still be in the fight. Lots of games left for the Wolverines gives them time to turn it around but it’s running out fast.
Up Next: Mar 9th vs WPG Blues, Mar 11th VS WPG Blues, Mar 14th vs Virden
