NEW RANKINGS

Two MJHL teams find themselves in the top 20 in the nation.
The Portage Terriers were ranked ninth in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings, unchanged from the previous week. The Selkirk Steelers were ranked 14th, up from 16 in the previous rankings.
The Dauphin Kings, who are coming on hard of late, received an honourable mention. But if it were up to me, the Kings would be ranked higher.
Speaking of rankings, let’s see what the Hockey Insider thinks about the 11 MJHL teams heading into the stretch run.
1. Portage Terriers – Finally get on top, but are already looking over their shoulders at ...
2. Dauphin Kings – Hottest team in the MJHL. Loaded up on talent at the deadline. Are they now the favourite to win the Sher-Wood?
3. Selkirk Steelers – They don’t get challenged game in and game out the way Sher-Wood Division teams do, but the Steelers are comfortably in first in the Addison and look to stay there until the playoffs.
4. OCN Blizzard – Can Matt Krahn carry this team to the promised land? I bet Neepawa wishes they still had this tender on their roster.
5. Winkler Flyers – Southern most team is starting to pull away and lock down second place.
6. Winnipeg Saints – Only 5-5 in their last 10 games as of this writing. Only playing average hockey at this time.
7. Swan Valley Stampeders – From first to fourth in just more than a month, and if they don’t start scoring, they might end up in a crossover position.
8. Neepawa Natives – Even after all their deals, the Natives are still playing strong hockey and are threatening pull past the Stampeders.
9. Waywayseecappo Wolverines – They are running out of time to make a run at a playoff spot. They need to get hot.
10 Winnipeg Blues – Trading away the veterans means more ice time for the younger players – and they are responding.
11. Steinbach Pistons – Yet another year out of the playoffs for this franchise.
• OCN Blizzard goaltender Matt Krahn has been named the MJHL Player of the Week.
Krahn was once again brilliant in posting a 2-0 record last week. The Winnipeg native allowed only three goals on 64 shots on goal. He also leads all MJHL goaltenders with a sparkling 2.09 GAA.
Krahn, 19, has an overall record of 14-12 in 26 games played. His save percentage is a lofty .932.
Also considered for this award was Stephane Pattyn, 19, of the Portage Terriers, as well as 19-year-old goaltender Brett Gagnon of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
• No more trades to report for this year, but the league does seem to be handing out more suspensions of late.
Waywayseecappo Wolverine Matt Malenstyn and Neepawa Native Nate Thompson each received a one game suspension for participating in a multiple fight situation Jan. 14
Winnipeg Saints forward Tim Hayduk received a five-game suspension forechecking from behind in the game on Jan. 11 versus the Portage Terriers.
Swan Valley’s Shelby Gray got off a little easier after he was handed a two-game holiday for his hitting from behind major Jan. 8 versus the Winnipeg Blues.