Photo: Ryan Sawatzky
1st – Winkler Flyers (+1)
Last week: 2-0
Overall: 42-7-3-1
Like they have all season, the Flyers outwork and out hustle their opponents. Balanced attack paired with dangerous, solid defender who can move the puck with a pass or their legs. Poised to lock down top spot and home ice throughout playoffs.
Key Player: Niklas Gudmundson – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 7th @ WPG Blues, Mar. 9th vs Portage, Mar. 12th @ WPG Freeze
2nd – Steinbach Pistons (-1)
Last week: 1-0-0-1
Overall: 39-10-2-2
Battled hard to earn a point but couldn’t complete the comeback in a shootout. Looking to hold on to home ice advantage heading into round one, which will be played in their brand-new facility. Fitting to have rival Portage for that first playoff series.
Key Player: Mathis Laplante – 1 goal, 4 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 6th @ Virden, Mar. 7th vs Northern Manitoba, Mar. 11 @ WPG Blues
3rd – Northern Manitoba (+2)
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 33-19-0-1
Good showing picking up critical points, though they may have made it more difficult on themselves than they would have liked. A good lesson heading into playoffs, sometimes you must simply find a way. Could still catch Dauphin for top spot in MGEU West.
Key Player: Taye Timmerman – 2-0 record, 1 shutout, 44 saves on 48 shots over 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 7th @ Steinbach, Mar. 8th @ WPG Freeze, Mar. 12th vs Virden
4th – Portage Terriers (-1)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 38-14-0-1
Good battle but just fell short in their last game. Things have been so-so of late but some really solid tests coming up should push the team into a playoff mindset and will be helpful as they gear up for round one against a long-standing rival.
Key Player: Caleb Lepitre – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 5th @ WPG Blues, Mar. 7th @ Dauphin, Mar. 9th @ Winkler, Mar. 12th @ Niverville
5th – Niverville Nighthawks (-1)
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 31-18-2-1
Great battle back on the road to avoid prolonging a skid. High level of compete has always been there, but the scoring has dried up a bit. Look for them to get back in the swing offensively. Goaltending has been very solid and will need to be to clinch playoffs and more.
Key Player: Dawson Zeller – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 5th @ WPG Freeze, Mar. 8th @ Selkirk, Mar. 9th vs Neepawa, Mar. 12th vs Portage
6th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines (+1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 23-29-2-1
Impressive resolve from the group. Getting themselves not only back in the playoff picture, but earning the right to dictate what happens in the final weeks. Finding ways to collect points and doing so as a group. Goaltending has also been a major boost.
Key Player: Sebastien Hicks – 2 goals, 3 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Mar. 11th vs Dauphin
7th – Dauphin Kings (+1)
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 34-16-2-1
Having not played their best hockey of late shouldn’t be too concerned. The group knows they have what it takes to be a top team in the league. With that said, now’s the time to turn things up and start to find that groove that proves they’re going to be a tough out in playoffs.
Key Player: Tylan Gage – 1 goal, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Mar. 7th vs Portage, Mar. 8th @ Swan Valley, Mar. 11th @ Waywayseecappo
8th – Selkirk Steelers (+1)
Last week: 2-0-0-1
Overall: 25-23-3-3
Still refusing to go away, the Steelers keep finding points, but time is running out. They not only need to win out, but they also need the team they’re chasing to lose out. Tough place to be. All they can do is handle their business and a critical game coming up against said team.
Key Player: Luke McCarthy – 1 goal, 4 assists in 3 games
Up Next: Mar. 8th vs Niverville, Mar. 9th @ WPG Blues, Mar. 11th vs Neepawa
9th – Neepawa Titans (-3)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 28-20-2-3
Lower on the list than they perhaps should be, but the Titans know they can be better than they’ve shown of late. Kind of locked themselves into that third spot, they’ll prepare to start playoffs on the road but shouldn’t bother them as they’ve been a solid road team.
Key Player: Caden Hegarty – 2 goals in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 8th vs Virden, Mar. 9th @ Niverville, Mar. 11th @ Selkirk
10th – Swan Valley Stampeders (-)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 16-31-5-2
Playing it out, but refusing to just hand over wins. Still a fast, hard working team. It’s clear where they’ll need to add going forward, but there’s a clear buy-in from the team that will carry over into the next season.
Key Player: Aidan Taylor – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 8th vs Dauphin, Mar. 11th vs Virden
11th – Virden Oil Capitals (-)
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 21-30-1-1
Not doing themselves any favours. At one point, looked like they would not just lock down a playoff spot but have room to spare. Now, they need to win by any means and also have a little luck to get in. Still time but it’s running out quickly.
Key Player: Nathan Schaefer – 3 assists in 2 games
Up Next: Mar. 6th vs Steinbach, Mar. 8th @ Neepawa, Mar. 11th @ Swan Valley, Mar. 12th @ Northern Manitoba
12th – Winnipeg Blues (-)
Last week: 0-3-1
Overall: 9-37-4-2
Competing and watching as a young future star finds his way at this level. Encouraging signs for a team that is looking at a massive upgrade when it comes to where they will be playing next year. Will help bring in new players and retain the ones they want.
Key Player: Adam Matar – 1 goal, 5 assists in 4 games
Up Next: Mar. 5th vs Portage, Mar. 7th vs Winkler, Mar 9th vs Selkirk, Mar. 11 vs Steinbach
13th – Winnipeg Freeze (-)
Last week: 0-3
Overall: 6-44-1-2
New coach for the rest of the season. Easy to say the most important thing going into the summer is finding that voice for the bench and the room.
Key Player: Cam Sarna – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games
Up Next: Mar. 5th vs Niverville, Mar. 8th vs Northern Manitoba, Mar. 12th vs Winkler
