The Waywayseecappo Wolverines will hit the reset button on Saturday night after a long break when they meet the Steinbach Pistons in their final regular-season meeting.
It was a tough ending to 2019 which has carried over into the new year for the Wolverines having gone 3-5-2-0 in their last ten games.
Leading into the seven-day break, the Wolverines lost a 6-4 decision to the Portage Terriers before dropping back to back games against the Selkirk Steelers at home. Although the Wolverines lost their final game to Selkirk, they did manage to grab a point with the overtime loss.
It’s now or never for the Wolverines who will need to make positive steps in the right direction with just 15 games remaining on the regular-season schedule before playoffs start in early March.
Head to Head
It has truly been a seesaw battle between the Wolverines and Pistons all year long which shouldn’t stop when these two clubs meet on Saturday night in Waywayseecappo.
As it sits heading into Saturday, the Wolverines have gone 1-2-1-1 in the season series against the Pistons and it could have looked much different.
There have been several lead changes, three-goal comebacks, overtime and a shootout in those previous five meetings which has made for a fast-paced entertaining brand of hockey.
Pistons Outlook
The Pistons continue to roll along in first place with just eight losses in regulation all season.
6-2-1-1 in their last ten games, the Pistons are also back for their first game since the MJHL | SJHL Showcase break.
Despite having plenty of offensive weapons, the Pistons powerplay has scored the second-fewest powerplay goals in the league (30) so far.
The Pistons penalty kill is tied with the Wolverines for the second-lowest percentage in the league (76%) while their powerplay isn’t much better, operating at 18.9%.
Depth scoring and superb goaltending have been the name of the game for the Pistons all season long as they have battled their fair share of injuries and managed to stay at the top of the MJHL standings throughout most of the season.
News and Notes
The Wolverines are now in sixth place, just two points back of Virden with the same amount of games played. Dauphin is in the review mirror by a three-point margin with one game in hand on the Wolverines.
Just prior to the trade deadline, the Pistons went out and picked up former Wolverines goaltender, Thomson Phinney. Should he get the start, it will be the first time the Wolverines see their former netminder in-game action.
Discipline continues to be the name of the game for the Wolverines as they still hold the most penalty minutes taken in the league (983) which is 290 more than the Pistons.
After Saturday night’s game, the Wolverines have just five home games remaining on their regular-season schedule and nine on the road.
It will be a short turnaround for the Wolverines as they will travel to Winnipeg on Sunday to play the Selkirk Steelers in a game that was originally scheduled to be played in Peguis First Nation.
Where to Watch
Watch tonight’s game between the Wolverines and Pistons live on HockeyTV.com or follow the Wolverines on Twitter @mjhlWolverines for live game updates.