Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
1st – Portage Terriers (-)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 9-5
They don’t ask how but for Portage, they’d be fine if “they” did. Fired 21 3rd period shots but didn’t score. They did win in overtime, which is really all that matters. Process and results.
Key Player: Grand Dardis – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Oct. 30th vs WPG Blues, Nov. 1 vs Virden, Nov. 3rd vs Winkler
2nd – Steinbach Pistons (+2)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 10-2-1
Despite missing key players, the Pistons didn’t miss a beat. Strong balanced scoring, fully bought in defense and top tier goaltending. A complete effort and the results showed.
Key Player: Ryan McDonald – 3 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Nov. 1st @ Selkirk, Nov. 2nd vs WPG Freeze
3rd – Dauphin Kings (+3)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 10-4
A nice return home after a so-so road trip. Continuing to play well as they find their consistent game. By far the best scoring team in the MGEU West, +21 goal differential.
Key Player: Ashton Paul – 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Nov. 1 @ WPG Freeze, Nov. 2nd @ Selkirk
4th – Winkler Flyers (- 1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 9-4
Back-to-back dominant performances, one in comeback fashion, shows the Flyers can score with the best. Busy month ahead with 12 games in November, with just 3 at home.
Key Player: Jayce Legaarden – 5 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Nov. 1st @ Norther Manitoba, Nov. 2nd @ Northern Manitoba, Nov. 3rd @ Portage
5th – Selkirk Steelers (-3)
Last week: 0-0-0-1
Overall: 12-3-0-1
Found a way to scratch out a point after a stretch off between games. It’s what good teams do. A big weekend against two true contenders can cement their spot atop the MGEU East.
Key Player: Rohan Guevarra – 1 goal in 1 game
Up Next: Nov 1st vs Steinbach, Nov. 2nd vs Dauphin
6th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-1)
Last week: 1-0-0-1
Overall: 10-4-0-1
Strong response after not getting what they maybe deserved the game before. Big time players starting to contribute on a regular basis will make them more dangerous.
Key Player: Cheechoo Lathlin – 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Nov 1st vs Winkler, Nov. 2nd vs Winkler
7th – Niverville Nighthawks (+1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 8-7
The group made a statement notching 10 goals in 2 games. They had 10 goals in 8 games prior. Can’t rest with valuable points available and teams ahead looking to pull away.
Key Player: Adam Vigfusson – 3 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Oct. 31st @ WPG Blues, Nov. 2nd @ WPG Blues
8th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+4)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 5-7
Banking points with games in hand on teams above them, the Wolverines are quietly going about their business. Busy month ahead but will have 8 of 12 November games at home.
Key Player: Jase Wareham – 1-1 record, 60 saves on 62 shots in shootout win over Blizzard
Up Next: Nov. 3rd @ Virden
9th – Neepawa Titans (-2)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 8-7-0-1
After being shutout and then nearly shutout, they took down the top team with a gutsy battle win. Surprisingly, their 63 goals against are 12th in the MJHL but their 8 wins is 7th.
Key Player: Tim Tychonick – shootout winner vs Selkirk
Up Next: Nov. 1 @ Swan Valley, Nov. 2nd @ Swan Valley
10th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-1-1-1
Overall: 1-8-1-2
A hardnosed worth ethic, strong goaltending and some puck luck, teams shouldn’t be sleeping on the young group that can push teams to the brink, just not all the way, yet.
Key Player: Nicholas Cullen – 1 goal, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Nov. 1st vs Dauphin, Nov. 2nd @ Steinbach
11th – Virden Oil Capitals (-2)
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 6-9
Winless on the recent homestand but can’t be faulted for the effort. Good teams will lose to good teams. Young, finding their way by committee, there are better times ahead.
Key Player: Will Brown – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Nov. 1st @ Portage, Nov. 3rd vs Waywayseecappo
12th – Winnipeg Blues (+1)
Last week: 0-1
Overall: 2-9-1-1
Never quit and never short on effort. Results will vary over the year but consistently finding ways to tighten details will help short and long term. Just don’t have the scoring right now.
Key Player: Wyatt Dyck – 1 goal, 1 assist in 1 game
Up Next: Nov. 2nd vs Niverville
13th – Swan Valley Stampeders
Last week: 0-2
Overall: 1-11-2
Another forgettable weekend. A great response after a tough night before made it hurt worse when the lead evaporated and were saddled with another loss.
Key Player: Will Munro – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Nov. 1st vs Neepawa, Nov. 2nd vs Neepawa