Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
*Note: Week 17 was an off week for Power Rankings due to MJHL/SJHL Showcase
1st – Winkler Flyers (+1)
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 32-6-3
The Flyers continue to dominate. Puck control, limiting shots and dangerous special teams are all details that are being fine-tuned for when games matter the most. Outscored opponents 15-2 in last 4 games, including 3 shutouts.
Key Player: Nicholas McKee – 2 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th vs WPG Freeze, Feb. 8th @ Steinbach, Feb. 9th vs Dauphin, Feb. 11th @ WPG Freeze
2nd – Portage Terriers (-1)
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 31-11-0-1
Big dogs are starting to eat. Goaltending has been spectacular, but the go-to guys are now being aided by the role players. Depth scoring coming alive down the stretch and into the playoffs would be a major boost for an already dangerous team.
Key Player: Caleb Lepitre – 3 goals, 2 assists in 5 games
Up Next: Feb. 8th @ Swan Valley, Feb. 12th vs WPG Blues
3rd – Niverville Nighthawks (-)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 25-13-2-1
Heading into a very busy stretch, the Nighthawks have elevated their game. Looking past who’s chasing them and having a keen eye on moving up to possibly host round 1 of the playoffs in a few weeks. It won’t be easy, but the group believes.
Key Player: Merek Boles – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 8th vs Dauphin, Feb. 9th vs WPG Freeze
4th – Dauphin Kings (-)
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 28-11-1
Bouncing back after an ugly loss, the Kings are still sitting pretty in the MGEU West Division. The challenge now will be to not get complacent. Based off their goaltenders work at the MJ/SJ Showcase, he may be ready to take the team on his back.
Key Player: Rylan Gage – 2 goals in 5 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th @ Steinbach, Feb. 8th @ Niverville, Feb. 9th @ Winkler, Feb. 12th vs Swan Valley
5th – Neepawa Titans (-)
Last week: 2-2-0-1
Overall: 22-17-2-3
Steady as she goes for the Titans. The group has put themselves into a position to take over 2nd place in the MGEU West but will need a bit of luck. Two big games with a ton of swing points on the line coming up. Look to prove they can defend a lead once they got one.
Key Player: Mason Hartley – 4 goals, 1 assist in 5 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th @ Northern Manitoba, Feb. 8th @ Northern Manitoba,
6th – Steinbach Pistons (-2)
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 30-10-2-1
Coming off a pair of wins, two losses in a row may be a lesson on what the group will need to do come playoff time. Being passed by not just one team in the standings, the tests will continue and it’s up to the players to pull themselves through.
Key Player: Matthew Munro – 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th vs Dauphin, Feb. 8th vs Winkler, Feb. 11th @ Selkirk
7th – Virden Oil Capitals (+3)
Last week: 3-0-1
Overall: 18-23-1
Putting themselves in a position where they control their own destiny moving forward. Two points up on the final playoff spot with games in hand but no time to slide on the details. Massive statement win against a possible first round opponent is a bonus.
Key Player: Carson Wright – 3 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th vs Swan Valley, Feb. 8th @ Selkirk, Feb. 11th @ Waywayseecappo
8th – Swan Valley Stampeders (+1)
Last week: 2-1-1
Overall: 11-26-4-1
While it may be a long shot getting into the top four in the division, the Stamps continue to show no quit. They’ve been a team that’s battled all year and it’s setting the foundation for the future. The buy-in has been evident and players are taking noticeable steps.
Key Player: Rhett Perrin – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 5th @ Northern Manitoba, Feb. 7th @ Virden, Feb. 8th vs Portage, Feb. 12th @ Dauphin
9th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (-2)
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 24-16-0-1
Not an ideal way to come back from the Showcase but a big win could right the ship for a longer run of victories. The group knows what it has to do to be successful, it’ll be about doing it consistently night in and night out. The skill is there, the details need to be, too.
Key Player: Quincy Supprien – 2 goals, 1 assist in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 5th vs Swan Valley, Feb. 7th vs Neepawa, Feb. 8th vs Neepawa
10th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (-2)
Last week: 2-2-0-1
Overall: 16-25-2-1
Two steps forward, two steps back is simply not good enough at this point of the year. The Wolverines are a fast, skilled team but it seems like one part of their game is missing from game to game which proves costly. Little room for error now.
Key Player: Jack Clarke – 2 goals, 3 assists in 5 games
Up Next: Feb. 7th vs WPG Blues, Feb. 11th vs Virden
11th – Winnipeg Freeze (+2)
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 6-32-1-2
Winning games is fun. There hasn’t been a lot of fun times for the Freeze this year but this latest stretch with a couple of victories and some high scoring games will be something to build on. Are capable of playing the role of spoiler, for sure.
Key Player: Carter Kingerski – 4 goals, 3 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th @ WPG Blues, Feb. 7th @ Winkler, Feb. 9th @ Niverville, Feb. 11th vs Winkler
12th – Selkirk Steelers (-1)
Last week: 1-4
Overall: 21-19-2-1
Time is running out. Need a bit of luck from the teams their chasing but grinding out points in the next week or two is a must, or it might be too steep of a mountain to climb. A tough task becomes impossible if they don’t find a way to turn things around now.
Key Player: Remy Hlady – 2 goals, 3 assists in 5 games
Up Next: Feb. 8th vs Virden, Feb. 11th vs Steinbach,
13th – Winnipeg Blues (-1)
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 8-27-2-2
Have put themselves in a spot where they control if they finish in the basement of the MGEU East or not. A better team than the record or results show. The group works hard but the weaknesses end up being exposed. Pieces to build on are there and will keep developing.
Key Player: Campbell Epp – 1 goal in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 6th vs Freeze, Feb. 7th @ Waywayseecappo, Feb. 12th @ Portage
