Photo: Scott Stroh/IceWaveMedia
1st – Steinbach Pistons (-)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 38-10-2-1
The big shooters continue to get the job done and handle the bulk of the offense. It seems like a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ they are going to score that timely goal. Strong goaltending and defenders chipping in are also a big plus.
Key Player: Grady Hoffman – 1 goal, 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th @ WPG Freeze, Mar. 1st vs Winkler
2nd – Winkler Flyers (+2)
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 40-7-3-1
Playing a strong team game continues to be the trademark for the only team in the league to his 40 wins so far this year. Everyone up and down the roster factors in at some point. A complete team ramping up at the right time.
Key Player: Blake Matheson – 1 goal, 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Mar. 1st @ Steinbach, Mar. 2nd vs Waywayseecappo
3rd – Portage Terriers (-)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 37-13-0-1
Bit of a letdown in their last game but battling with a shortened roster. No excuses, the club will look to just get through this stretch and look to get healthy in March, in time to be at their best for what will be a must-watch first round matchup.
Key Player: Nolan Nenow – 2 goals in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 26th @ Niverville, Mar. 1st vs Waywayseecappo, Mar. 5th @ WPG Blues
4th – Niverville Nighthawks (-2)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 30-16-2-1
Got a lesson on what it’ll take to be successful come playoff time. Playing tough is a positive but playing smart-tough is another level. Like many teams, they are looking to get healthy in the next few weeks leading into the postseason
Key Player: Dawson Zeller – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 26th vs Portage, Mar. 1st @ Dauphin, Mar. 4th @ Virden, Mar. 5th @ WPG Freeze
5th – Northern Manitoba Blizzard (+1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 30-19-0-1
Scoring still may be a bit of a concern, but they don’t give up a lot, so it balances out. Playing tight checking, hard games now will help them come playoff time. Lots to still be decided with a chance to catch first but also slip into third.
Key Player: Brett Ward – 1 goal, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th vs WPG Blues, Mar. 1st vs Selkirk, Mar. 4th @ Dauphin
6th – Neepawa Titans (+3)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 27-19-2-3
A teeter-totter like stretch continues but this is the good side as the Titans are on the ups. Locking up a playoff stop is great, but they will have their eyes set on starting round one at home, which would be a massive advantage given their likely opponent.
Key Player: Carter McLeod – 1 goal, 5 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th vs Dauphin, Mar. 1st @ WPG Freeze
7th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 21-28-2-1
Massive shutout win at home give them a bit of a cushion in the standings but as has been seen, that can disappear quickly. Need to find a way to bottle the positives and find points by any means necessary down the stretch. They now hold their own fate in their hands.
Key Player: Mariko Bercier – 2-1 record, 1 shutout, 99 saves on 105 shots over three games
Up Next: Mar. 1st @ Portage, Mar. 2nd @ Winkler, Mar. 4th vs WPG Freeze
8th – Dauphin Kings (-3)
Last week: 1-1-1
Overall: 32-15-2-1
Finding ways to claim points while missing one of their biggest pieces. Still, it feels as though the Kings are missing their swagger. Some tough games ahead where if they can find ways to win, that attitude coule return which is bad news for the rest of the league.
Key Player: Gavin Nemis – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th @ Swan Valley, Mar. 1st vs Niverville, Mar. 4th vs Northern Manitoba
9th – Selkirk Steelers (+2)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 23-22-3-2
Playoff hopes may be on life support, but the team continues to show no quit. A hard working, scrappy group will continue to learn some lessons when it comes to going about how to be successful long term. Tough now but will be better for it.
Key Player: Owen Warnick – 2 goals, 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th @ Swan Valley, Mar. 1st @ Northern Manitoba, Mar. 4th @ WPG Blues
10th – Swan Valley Stampeders (-3)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 15-30-5-2
Not a great homestand but a very solid win against one the MGEU East Divsion’s big guns had to feel good. Coming off a busy February, a less hectic March could provide the rest needed to play spoiler down the stretch. Teams will regret taking them lightly.
Key Player: Will Brown – 4 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th vs Selkirk, Mar. 1st vs WPG Blues
11th – Virden Oil Capitals (-1)
Last week: 0-4
Overall: 20-29-1-1
Not a great time for the wheels to fall off. But, it’s not a season defining time, either. There’s still time for the group to get it back on the rails and make a push. They lost the right to control their own fate, but they can’t worry about others, need to focus on themselves.
Key Player: Noel Englot – 3 goals, 1 assist in 4 games
Up Next: Feb. 26th @ WPG Blues, Mar. 4th vs Niverville
12th – Winnipeg Blues (-)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 9-34-3-2
It says a lot about the season when the highlight of the year comes from an announcement that the team will be in a new building next season. It was a much-needed move and a step for long-term positives. There’s a belief that things will get better.
Key Player: Evan Gradt – 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb.26th vs Virden, Feb. 28th @ Northern Manitoba, Mar. 1st @ Swan Valley, Mar. 4th vs Selkirk, Mar. 5th vs Portage
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 6-41-1-2
Eight games left to play for what has been another tough season for the Freeze. All eight games remaining are against teams who currently have solidified or hold playoff spots.
Key Player: Eli Novy – 2 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Feb. 28th vs Steinbach, Mar. 1st vs Neepawa, Mar. 4th @ Waywayseecappo.
