The Waywayseecappo Wolverines (7-3-2-0) will meet the Selkirk Steelers (6-4-0-0) for the first time this season on Saturday night, looking to get back into the win column after dropping Friday nights match in Steinbach.
Thanks to a slow start in Steinbach, the Wolverines were forced to play catch up throughout the duration of the game after digging themselves into a 4-0 hole.
The Wolverines managed to claw their way back into the game after scoring a pair of goals midway through the third period but it was too little, too late as time ran out on the Wolverines bid for a comeback.
Should the Wolverines be able to come out with the same speed and will to win as they had in the second and third periods in Steinbach on Friday night, the club will set themselves up with a great shot at coming away with two points over the Steelers on Saturday night.
If this year’s season series is anything like last year, fans can expect some entertaining hockey when the two teams meet for the first time on Saturday night.
Steelers Outlook
After stumbling out of the gate to a 3-4-0-0 record, the Selkirk Steelers come into the action on Saturday as winners of three straight games.
After picking up a 5-2 win over the Virden Oil Capitals prior to the mid-October snowstorm, the Steelers have picked up a pair of convincing wins over the bottom-feeding Neepawa Natives by scores of 4-2 and 7-0 last night on home ice.
Selkirk saw goals from seven different skaters in their 7-0 triumph over Neepawa on Friday while 19-year-old Goaltender, Austin Deboer kicked aside all 35 shots sent his way for the shutout.
Through ten games, the Steelers have been powered by a pair of 20-year-old Forwards in Carter Barley and Brett Namaka.
20-year-old goaltender, Levi Mitchell has been solid between the pipes for the Steelers with a .918 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average.
News and Notes
Despite falling in Steinbach on Friday night, the Wolverines powerplay has continued to thrive which has now seen the unit score in five straight games. The 20% conversion rate with the man-advantage is good enough for fourth in the MJHL, while the penalty kill has struggled at times with the ninth-ranked unit at 78.8%.
Special teams are certainly a bright spot for the Steelers as their 20.9% conversion rate on the powerplay has the club third in the league while their 87% penalty kill rate also has them third amongst the eleven teams.
Jaymes Knee’s goal in Steinbach on Friday night got him on the score sheet for the fourth straight game as the 19-year-old from Brandon has just failed to record a point in two of the Wolverines 12 games this season.
Second-year Forward, Conrad Phillips has been hot as of late scoring one goal and adding six assists in his last four games. Wolverines Captain, Nick Doyle has also been lighting up the score sheet over the last four games, scoring a pair of goals and notching six assists.
Where to Watch
Watch tonight’s game between the Wolverines and Steelers live on HockeyTV.com or follow the Wolverines on Twitter @mjhlWolverines for live game updates.