The Manitoba Junior Hockey League put their best spin on their annual all-star game, but from all accounts it was not the showcase of the league’s top talent they had hoped for.
Oh, the offensive players shone – a bit too brightly perhaps – as the Addison Division defeated the Sher-Wood Division by a final score of 19-15.
That’s a total of 34 goals scored, more than one every two minutes.
Fans expect all-star games to be high scoring affairs, but 34 goals seems a bit excessive. It wasn’t so much a hockey game as it was a shooting gallery.
And one would have to wonder why any team would consent to having their netminder take part in this event. The netminders faced a combined 113 shots in this game.
Perhaps there needs to be some sort of incentive to turn this annual showcase into a game fans actually want to watch, and make the players take it somewhat more seriously. Maybe a prize package of some sort, or a reward for the winning division such as home-ice advantage in the MJHL final, would do the trick.
By comparison, the top prospect’s game would have been far more interesting to watch. The Addison Division won 6-5 – and there were even some penalties called in this one.
Some fans might also want the MJHL and SJHL to return to their inter-league all-star competition. But that would take some cooperation from the two leagues. Home-ice advantage in the ANAVET Cup would be quite the prize to play for, though.
What do you, the fans, think of the MJHL All-Star game? Is it fine the way it is? Would you like to see something new? Send me a note at editor@starandtimes.ca and I’ll (anonymously) print some of your suggestions.
• Neepawa Natives forward Wes Pawluk is the MJHL’s Potter Distillers Player of the Week.
The Natives went undefeated and are battling the Portage Terriers for third place in the Sher-Wood Division, who they defeated on the Sunday after the MJHL’s All-Star game. Both teams also have a chance to catch the Swan Valley Stampeders for second place, though they will need a lot of help to do that.
Pawluk, a 20-year-old from Petersfield, scored four goals and added two helpers in three games.
Also considered for this award was David Aime of OCN Blizzard and Ryan Marshall from the Swan Valley Stampeders.
Aime posted a 1-1 record last week, with a .942 save percentage and 2.50 GAA. His win was a 1-0 shutout over the Swan Valley Stampeders.
Marshall scored a goal and added three helpers in Swan Valley’s victory over the Blizzard in their return match.
• The Dauphin Kings have slipped to seventh in the nation according to the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League Weekly Top 20 rankings.
The Kings fell to seventh from fifth place, and they are the only MJHL team to crack to the top 20.
The Selkirk Steelers, though, do rate an honourable mention thanks in part to their convincing victory over the Winnipeg Saints in a game for first place in the Addison Division.
• Hey hockey fans. Do you enjoy free stuff? Are you planning to attend the RBC Championship in Dauphin this spring?
Then it’s probably not a bad idea to visit www.cjhlhockey.com and click on the RBC Cup survey.
There’s a chance to win some incredible prizes, including a customized RBC Cup 2010 jersey, two RBC Cup full event ticket packages, $100 in RBC Cup merchandise vouchers and two tickets to the Opening Night Celebration starring Charlie Major.
The survey only takes a couple of minutes, and it’s actually fairly informative.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Playoff races heating up
The Portage Terriers are the two-time defending champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, but they’ll be in tough to repeat as champions this year.
That said, they’re not rolling over for anyone. Despite having a younger team this year, the Terriers went out and acquired some veteran talent to help bring along the younger players, and to make life extremely difficult for the team they will face in the playoffs – should they hold onto their spot (something which is all but certain).
One of the new players the Terriers acquired is bound to give his teammates more space on the ice. Michael Yovanic is a physical specimen, standing six foot seven inches and weighing 240 pounds. He towers over pretty much all other players.
Of course, with bigger and more physical players on the roster, the Terriers will also have to do their best to play on the edge and not over it. Giving your opponents more power-play time is the last thing any coach wants.
“It all depends on how (referees) call it – we would like to see some consistency,” said Terriers head coach Blake Spiller. “We’ll just have to make sure we adjust early in games.”
Despite not having the big goal scorers from a year ago – players such as Eric Delong and Riley Nixdorf – Spiller said they’re prepared to battle come the playoffs.
“We want to make the playoffs for sure – and there’s no guarantee there,” he said. “We brought some older guys in to help with the playoff stretch.
“And if you get in, you never know what’s going to happen,” he added. “A couple of years ago, (former Swan Valley netminder) Chris Ward almost stole one from us, so you just never know what’s going to happen in a seven-game series.”
• Speaking of playoff races, heading into the week before the all-star break, not a lot has been determined with a little more than a month remaining in the regular season.
The Dauphin Kings will finish first in the Sher-Wood Division. That’s pretty much a given.
Swan Valley is in a great position to finish second for the first time in their franchise’s history. It would take a real collapse, and a real impressive winning streak by Portage or Neepawa, to knock them out of second place.
The Terriers and Natives seem destined to battle for third and fourth place. The Terriers had a five-point budge on the Natives. But Neepawa had two games in hand. And with two games against each other, nothing is settled there.
The OCN Blizzard were in fifth place, five points back of the Neepawa Natives. However, the Blizzard were only two points back of the fourth-place Winnipeg South Blues – with five games in hand – so a potential crossover is also there for the Blizzard.
As for the rest of the Addison Division, the Selkirk Steelers and Winnipeg Saints were tied for first place, so the division title might come down the final game of the year, which just happens to pit these two divisional rivals against each other.
The Winkler Flyers are in third place, four back of the divisional leaders. But they both have games in hand on the Flyers, so it would take some kind of effort to catch either team – especially since the Flyers entered this week with only 11 games remaining.
So it looks as though there will be plenty of exciting races to follow down the stretch, setting the stage for an even more exciting playoff.
• The MJHL’s Potters Distillers Player of the Week is Niko Grose of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Grose, 20, scored five goals and added an assist in four games.
The Wolverines knocked off the Addison Division-leading Selkirk Steelers twice thanks to Grose and his team putting in solid efforts despite the fact they will likely miss the playoffs this year.
The Wolverines did the same thing to the Portage Terriers the week before, sweeping a weekend home-and-home. Teams take the Wolverines lightly at their own peril these days.
Also considered for this award was Adam Stoykewych of the Winnipeg South Blues and Matt Krahn of the Neepawa Natives.
Stoykewych had seven points (two goals, five assists) in two games last week, while Krahn went 2-1 in goal for the Natives, with a .921 save percentage and 2.31 GAA.
That said, they’re not rolling over for anyone. Despite having a younger team this year, the Terriers went out and acquired some veteran talent to help bring along the younger players, and to make life extremely difficult for the team they will face in the playoffs – should they hold onto their spot (something which is all but certain).
One of the new players the Terriers acquired is bound to give his teammates more space on the ice. Michael Yovanic is a physical specimen, standing six foot seven inches and weighing 240 pounds. He towers over pretty much all other players.
Of course, with bigger and more physical players on the roster, the Terriers will also have to do their best to play on the edge and not over it. Giving your opponents more power-play time is the last thing any coach wants.
“It all depends on how (referees) call it – we would like to see some consistency,” said Terriers head coach Blake Spiller. “We’ll just have to make sure we adjust early in games.”
Despite not having the big goal scorers from a year ago – players such as Eric Delong and Riley Nixdorf – Spiller said they’re prepared to battle come the playoffs.
“We want to make the playoffs for sure – and there’s no guarantee there,” he said. “We brought some older guys in to help with the playoff stretch.
“And if you get in, you never know what’s going to happen,” he added. “A couple of years ago, (former Swan Valley netminder) Chris Ward almost stole one from us, so you just never know what’s going to happen in a seven-game series.”
• Speaking of playoff races, heading into the week before the all-star break, not a lot has been determined with a little more than a month remaining in the regular season.
The Dauphin Kings will finish first in the Sher-Wood Division. That’s pretty much a given.
Swan Valley is in a great position to finish second for the first time in their franchise’s history. It would take a real collapse, and a real impressive winning streak by Portage or Neepawa, to knock them out of second place.
The Terriers and Natives seem destined to battle for third and fourth place. The Terriers had a five-point budge on the Natives. But Neepawa had two games in hand. And with two games against each other, nothing is settled there.
The OCN Blizzard were in fifth place, five points back of the Neepawa Natives. However, the Blizzard were only two points back of the fourth-place Winnipeg South Blues – with five games in hand – so a potential crossover is also there for the Blizzard.
As for the rest of the Addison Division, the Selkirk Steelers and Winnipeg Saints were tied for first place, so the division title might come down the final game of the year, which just happens to pit these two divisional rivals against each other.
The Winkler Flyers are in third place, four back of the divisional leaders. But they both have games in hand on the Flyers, so it would take some kind of effort to catch either team – especially since the Flyers entered this week with only 11 games remaining.
So it looks as though there will be plenty of exciting races to follow down the stretch, setting the stage for an even more exciting playoff.
• The MJHL’s Potters Distillers Player of the Week is Niko Grose of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
Grose, 20, scored five goals and added an assist in four games.
The Wolverines knocked off the Addison Division-leading Selkirk Steelers twice thanks to Grose and his team putting in solid efforts despite the fact they will likely miss the playoffs this year.
The Wolverines did the same thing to the Portage Terriers the week before, sweeping a weekend home-and-home. Teams take the Wolverines lightly at their own peril these days.
Also considered for this award was Adam Stoykewych of the Winnipeg South Blues and Matt Krahn of the Neepawa Natives.
Stoykewych had seven points (two goals, five assists) in two games last week, while Krahn went 2-1 in goal for the Natives, with a .921 save percentage and 2.31 GAA.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Alumni update
Former Swan Valley Stampeders star Stephan Vigier is the Sioux City Musketeers’ lone representative for the USHL All-Star Game.
The game will take place at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 26.
By all accounts Vigier has done quite well since leaving the Stampeders to play in the USHL. He is the team’s leading scorer this year with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists).
It’s not going to happen, but Swan Valley fans still occasionally ask me the big “what if?” question. Look at how good Swan Valley is this year. Now add Vigier to the mix. I have no doubt they would be battling the Dauphin Kings for top spot in the division if Vigier had joined the team earlier this year. But by now everyone knows Vigier is not coming back.
Vigier was always a player who knew where he wanted to go in hockey. And he’ll continue that journey next year when he begins to play at Northern Michigan University. And I’ve no doubt he’ll find success there, just as he did here in the Valley.
• Let’s take a look at what another former Swan Valley Stampeder is doing.
Chris Ward, who was a big part of Swan Valley’s exciting seven-game series against the Portage Terriers two years ago (along with, ironically, Vigier) has settled in after being dealt to the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL. It looks like it was one of those deals which ended up being win-win for everyone involved.
Ward is now 12-6 with a 2.76 GAA (eighth best in the SJHL) with a healthy .911 save percentage.
That’s a big improvement from his numbers here early in the season, so it actually looks like this is one of those situations where both teams benefitted from a deal.
• While we’re talking about former Stampeders, we might as well bring up former captain and the team’s all-time scoring leader, Ian Lowe.
The Stampeder star has appeared in this newspaper countless times, but that never generated the sort of buzz his most recent appearance made.
Lowe’s picture recently appeared in the New York Times. It was part of a story which ran in late December, noting how Bemidji State is hanging with the bigger teams in the NCAA ranks and continuing the success they enjoyed last year during their run to the Frozen Four.
The Beavers were 14-4-2 heading into the weekend, and were ranked 11th in the country.
Lowe’s come a long way in hockey. And to have your picture appear in the New York
The game will take place at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 26.
By all accounts Vigier has done quite well since leaving the Stampeders to play in the USHL. He is the team’s leading scorer this year with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists).
It’s not going to happen, but Swan Valley fans still occasionally ask me the big “what if?” question. Look at how good Swan Valley is this year. Now add Vigier to the mix. I have no doubt they would be battling the Dauphin Kings for top spot in the division if Vigier had joined the team earlier this year. But by now everyone knows Vigier is not coming back.
Vigier was always a player who knew where he wanted to go in hockey. And he’ll continue that journey next year when he begins to play at Northern Michigan University. And I’ve no doubt he’ll find success there, just as he did here in the Valley.
• Let’s take a look at what another former Swan Valley Stampeder is doing.
Chris Ward, who was a big part of Swan Valley’s exciting seven-game series against the Portage Terriers two years ago (along with, ironically, Vigier) has settled in after being dealt to the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL. It looks like it was one of those deals which ended up being win-win for everyone involved.
Ward is now 12-6 with a 2.76 GAA (eighth best in the SJHL) with a healthy .911 save percentage.
That’s a big improvement from his numbers here early in the season, so it actually looks like this is one of those situations where both teams benefitted from a deal.
• While we’re talking about former Stampeders, we might as well bring up former captain and the team’s all-time scoring leader, Ian Lowe.
The Stampeder star has appeared in this newspaper countless times, but that never generated the sort of buzz his most recent appearance made.
Lowe’s picture recently appeared in the New York Times. It was part of a story which ran in late December, noting how Bemidji State is hanging with the bigger teams in the NCAA ranks and continuing the success they enjoyed last year during their run to the Frozen Four.
The Beavers were 14-4-2 heading into the weekend, and were ranked 11th in the country.
Lowe’s come a long way in hockey. And to have your picture appear in the New York
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monthly award winners
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League recently announced their monthly award winners for December.
Selkirk Steelers’ forward Josh Schappert has been named December’s RBC Player of the Month.
Schappert, a 20-year-old Winnipeg native, has put together a 12-game point streak, registering 10 goals and 26 points over that span.
In 10 games in December Schappert recorded 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists).
Also considered for this award was Colan Jackson, 19, from the Steelers and Blake Chartier, 20 of the Winnipeg Saints.
The Sher-wood Hockey Defenceman of the Month is Lucas Alexiuk of the Selkirk Steelers. Alexiuk, a Winnipeg product who joined the Steelers from the Winkler Flyers, had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in December.
Other players considered for this award was Troy Kliever, 19, of the Winkler Flyers and Steven Shamanski, 20 of the Dauphin Kings.
The GDI Prairies Goaltender of the Month is Matt Krahn of the Neepawa Natives. The six foot one inch, 180-pound puck stopper posted a 5-4 record and 2.77 GAA in 607 minutes played in December. His save percentage was a very respectable .908.
The Natives, are battling not only the OCN Blizzard for fourth place in the Sher-Wood Division, but also have their eye on the Winnipeg South Blues for a potential crossover spot. And Krahn is a big reason why they are in the playoff hunt.
Other netminders considered for this award include Jordan Washburn, 19, of the Portage Terriers and Joe Caligiuri, 20, of the Dauphin Kings.
The Husky Energy Rookie of the Month is Brendan O'Donnell of the Winnipeg South Blues. O’Donnell has had quite a year. He suited up for Team West at Prospects Games in Winkler in December, played for Team West at World Junior A Challenge, where he came home with a silver medal, and is also the player of the week (see more on that later in this column).
O’Donnell, 17, who has committed to University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, scored 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in nine games.
Also considered was Craig Scott, 18, of the Selkirk Steelers and forward David Conrad, 18, of the Winnipeg Saints.
• As noted earlier, O’Donnell, was named the MJHL’s Potters Distillers Player of the Week.
The Winnipeg product scored three goals and registered seven assists in three games.
The surge moved him to within seven points of rookie scoring leader Eric Coulombe of Steinbach Pistons.
Also considered for the award was David Conrad of Winnipeg Saints and Colan Jackson of Selkirk Steelers.
Conrad, 18, has seven points (four goals, three assists) last week.
Jackson, a runner up for player of the month, had three goals and three assists points in a victory over Waywayseecappo Wolverines – a game held at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre.
• Be sure to check out next week’s column, which will have a full rundown of trades made by MJHL teams at the deadline, which is Jan. 10.
One of the first early deals saw the Neepawa Natives, who are oh-so-close to being in the playoffs, acquired 18-year-old forward Stephan Gunner, from Chibougamau, Que., from the Fort William North Stars of the SIJHL.
In return, the Natives send 20-year-old forward Eli Halcrow to the Thunder Bay based North Stars.
The Neepawa bench boss could not be happier.
“Stephan is a guy we tried endlessly to acquire this season,” said Natives coach Bryant Perrier. “We burned up the phone lines time and time again but just could not get a deal done.
“We believe he will be a very good player for us this year and in the future as well.”
With the MJHL being as close as it is this year, the potential is there for many teams to be in the buying mood. Only the Dauphin Kings are all but assured of making the playoffs and earning the No. 1 seed.
Swan Valley and Portage look to fight for home ice advantage, while OCN, Neepawa and the Winnipeg South Blues appear to be battling for two playoff spots.
And the race for first in the Addison is exciting – only five points separate Selkirk, the Winnipeg Saints and the Winkler Flyers.
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines and Steinbach Pistons are looking to next year, and they will likely be in a selling mood if it helps their team for next year.
Selkirk Steelers’ forward Josh Schappert has been named December’s RBC Player of the Month.
Schappert, a 20-year-old Winnipeg native, has put together a 12-game point streak, registering 10 goals and 26 points over that span.
In 10 games in December Schappert recorded 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists).
Also considered for this award was Colan Jackson, 19, from the Steelers and Blake Chartier, 20 of the Winnipeg Saints.
The Sher-wood Hockey Defenceman of the Month is Lucas Alexiuk of the Selkirk Steelers. Alexiuk, a Winnipeg product who joined the Steelers from the Winkler Flyers, had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in December.
Other players considered for this award was Troy Kliever, 19, of the Winkler Flyers and Steven Shamanski, 20 of the Dauphin Kings.
The GDI Prairies Goaltender of the Month is Matt Krahn of the Neepawa Natives. The six foot one inch, 180-pound puck stopper posted a 5-4 record and 2.77 GAA in 607 minutes played in December. His save percentage was a very respectable .908.
The Natives, are battling not only the OCN Blizzard for fourth place in the Sher-Wood Division, but also have their eye on the Winnipeg South Blues for a potential crossover spot. And Krahn is a big reason why they are in the playoff hunt.
Other netminders considered for this award include Jordan Washburn, 19, of the Portage Terriers and Joe Caligiuri, 20, of the Dauphin Kings.
The Husky Energy Rookie of the Month is Brendan O'Donnell of the Winnipeg South Blues. O’Donnell has had quite a year. He suited up for Team West at Prospects Games in Winkler in December, played for Team West at World Junior A Challenge, where he came home with a silver medal, and is also the player of the week (see more on that later in this column).
O’Donnell, 17, who has committed to University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, scored 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in nine games.
Also considered was Craig Scott, 18, of the Selkirk Steelers and forward David Conrad, 18, of the Winnipeg Saints.
• As noted earlier, O’Donnell, was named the MJHL’s Potters Distillers Player of the Week.
The Winnipeg product scored three goals and registered seven assists in three games.
The surge moved him to within seven points of rookie scoring leader Eric Coulombe of Steinbach Pistons.
Also considered for the award was David Conrad of Winnipeg Saints and Colan Jackson of Selkirk Steelers.
Conrad, 18, has seven points (four goals, three assists) last week.
Jackson, a runner up for player of the month, had three goals and three assists points in a victory over Waywayseecappo Wolverines – a game held at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre.
• Be sure to check out next week’s column, which will have a full rundown of trades made by MJHL teams at the deadline, which is Jan. 10.
One of the first early deals saw the Neepawa Natives, who are oh-so-close to being in the playoffs, acquired 18-year-old forward Stephan Gunner, from Chibougamau, Que., from the Fort William North Stars of the SIJHL.
In return, the Natives send 20-year-old forward Eli Halcrow to the Thunder Bay based North Stars.
The Neepawa bench boss could not be happier.
“Stephan is a guy we tried endlessly to acquire this season,” said Natives coach Bryant Perrier. “We burned up the phone lines time and time again but just could not get a deal done.
“We believe he will be a very good player for us this year and in the future as well.”
With the MJHL being as close as it is this year, the potential is there for many teams to be in the buying mood. Only the Dauphin Kings are all but assured of making the playoffs and earning the No. 1 seed.
Swan Valley and Portage look to fight for home ice advantage, while OCN, Neepawa and the Winnipeg South Blues appear to be battling for two playoff spots.
And the race for first in the Addison is exciting – only five points separate Selkirk, the Winnipeg Saints and the Winkler Flyers.
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines and Steinbach Pistons are looking to next year, and they will likely be in a selling mood if it helps their team for next year.
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