The Waywayseecappo Wolverines enter the action on Friday night having picked up 3 of 4 points at the MJHL Showcase in Winnipeg after doubling up the Blues 6-3 on Monday and falling 4-3 to the Pistons in overtime on Tuesday.
For the Wolverines, the league showcase could be chalked up as a victory as the club returned home with a 5-1-1-0 record which sits good enough for second place among the MJHL standings.
After storming out to a 3-0 lead in the first period against the Pistons at the showcase, Steinbach would go on to score four unanswered including the game-winner in extra time. Penalty trouble is what ultimately sank the Wolverines.
Three straight powerplays led to a pair of goals for the Pistons against the Wolverines at the Showcase on Tuesday, which is something out of character for a team that has sat in the top half of penalty kill percentages over the last year.
There’s no question that the Wolverines roster is filled with speed, and using it for a full sixty-minute effort will be what separates the club from others throughout the season. If Waywayseecappo can continue to apply pressure, they will be a tough group to handle.
Flyers Outlook
The Winkler Flyers come into Waywayseecappo with a 3-3-0-0 record after splitting their two-game schedule at the Showcase. After dropping a 5-2 decision to the Portage Terriers, the Flyers followed that up with a 4-1 victory over the winless Neepawa Natives.
A new look coaching staff along with many new faces in the line up should make for more of a competitive Flyers team this season that the Wolverines cannot take lightly.
The Wolverines will need to be on the lookout for Sullivan Shortreed as the 19-year-old sits second in league scoring with six goals and two assists in six games.
16-year-old Forward, Grady Lane was also returned to the Flyers after playing one game for the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL and could potentially make his season debut against the Wolverines on Friday.
News and Notes
Both the Wolverines and Flyers have nearly identical percentages on the powerplay and penalty kill. It will be interesting to see who bends or breaks during the special teams battle on Friday.
This is the lone game of the weekend for the Flyers while the Wolverines will cap off their weekend on Saturday night, hosting the Steinbach Pistons.
Jaymes Knee has kept up his point-per-game pace through seven games, posting four goals and five assists which ties him for the league lead in scoring at nine points heading into Friday night.
Former Wolverines forward, Bryce Krauter will be in the lineup on Friday night for the Flyers, as the 19-year-old has recorded seven assists in six contests.
The Wolverines have picked up points in six of seven games to start the season, which has the club sitting in second place heading into the weekend.
Where to Watch
Watch tonight’s game between the Wolverines and Flyers live on HockeyTV.com or follow the Wolverines on Twitter @mjhlWolverines for live game updates.