Friday October 11, 2024
Four exciting matchups highlight tonight’s MMJHL action.
Four exciting matchups highlight tonight’s MMJHL action as teams jockey for early-season positioning. From tightly contested rivalries to teams looking to reverse their fortunes, here’s a breakdown of what’s ahead on the ice.
Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins at Raiders Jr. Hockey Club (7:30 PM)
The Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins head into tonight's contest riding a wave of momentum after back-to-back wins, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the River East Royal Knights in their last game. Now sitting at 2-2-0, the Twins will look to make it three straight as they visit the Raiders Jr. Hockey Club. Leading the charge for the Twins is the duo of Carter Halamandaris and captain Dean Gorchynski, who have combined for 10 points in their first four games. With contributions from across the lineup, including Ryland Hueging's three goals in three games, the Twins have found balance in their scoring. Defensively, they’ve been solid, with goaltender Alex Pauls posting a respectable .897 save percentage in two starts.
Conversely, the Raiders Jr. Hockey Club, currently 1-3-1, hopes to build on their first win of the season, a 3-2 overtime victory against the Charleswood Hawks. The Raiders’ attack is spearheaded by Nate Goodbrandson, who leads the Raiders in scoring with nine points (3 goals, 6 assists) through five games. However, defensive issues have plagued the team, as they've allowed 20 goals in just five contests, with goaltending still finding its rhythm. The goaltending tandem of Evan Banera and Owen Savoie has shown flashes, but they'll need to be sharp to slow down a Twins offense that has found its groove. A key matchup will be the Raiders' penalty kill, which sits at 70.6%, going up against the Twins’ dangerous power play, clicking at 26.3%.
River East Royal Knights at St. James Jr. Canucks (7:30 PM)
In this clash, the River East Royal Knights (2-1-1) take on the struggling St. James Jr. Canucks (0-3-1) in a battle where both teams are eager to turn things around. The Royal Knights enter the game on a two-game losing streak but have been competitive, falling to the Twins in overtime in their latest contest. River East boasts a balanced attack led by forward Logan Ashe, who has five goals and two assists in his first four games. Kalen Reynolds has also been impressive, notching six points, while Liam Urciuoli has been a reliable playmaker with six assists. Defensively, they’ve been solid, allowing just 2.75 goals per game, with goaltender Keaton Woloshen sporting a strong .913 save percentage.
For the St. James Jr. Canucks, the story of the season has been a lack of offense. With just five goals in four games, they’ve struggled to find the back of the net despite some strong individual efforts from Griffin Haight, who has been involved in four of the team's five goals this season. The Canucks’ defense has been their Achilles' heel, as they’ve allowed 20 goals thus far, including a lopsided 9-3 loss to the Twins last week. Goaltender Connor Murphy has faced a barrage of shots, stopping 154 of 169 attempts, and will need more support from his defense tonight. The Canucks will need a spark to break their losing skid, and a disciplined effort will be key, as their penalty troubles have hurt them. They’ll be aiming for their first win in front of a home crowd, hoping that the familiar confines will inspire a better performance.
Charleswood Hawks at Transcona Railer Express (7:30 PM)
The Charleswood Hawks, sitting at 3-0-1 and third in the standings, travel to face the Transcona Railer Express, looking for consistency after a 1-1-2 start. The Hawks have been one of the league’s stingiest defensive teams, allowing just 1.50 goals per game, anchored by stellar goaltending from Keegan Gordon, who boasts a sparkling .959 save percentage through three games. Offensively, Charleswood has been paced by Cole Penner, who has five goals already, two of them game-winners. Jayden McPhearson and Matt Carlson have been solid contributors, and the Hawks will look to continue their balanced, disciplined play as they face a Railer Express team that has shown flashes of high-scoring potential.
For the Transcona Railer Express, who sit at 1-1-2, tonight’s game presents a chance to right the ship after a tough 4-2 loss to the Raiders. Despite their record, the Railer Express have shown they can generate offense, averaging 3.50 goals per game. The challenge has been on defense, where they’ve allowed four goals per game. Up front, the Express are led by forward Ryan Cromie, who has four points in five games, and veteran Ashton Henry, who has contributed both offensively and defensively. The Railer Express will need a complete team effort, particularly in their own zone, to slow down the Hawks and avoid giving up high-danger chances. Look for special teams to play a role, with Transcona's penalty kill currently sitting at 86.7%, a key area if they hope to stifle Charleswood’s attack.
Stonewall Jets at Pembina Valley Twisters (8:00 PM)
The final game of the night sees the Stonewall Jets (2-2-0) travel to face the Pembina Valley Twisters (1-2-1) in a game where both teams want to gain some early-season traction. The Jets, fresh off a narrow 3-2 win against St. James, will look to build on that momentum. Offensively, the Jets have been led by Brayden Williams and Jack Kennedy, who have played pivotal roles in their attack. Their power play, however, has struggled early, converting just 15.4% of opportunities, and will need to improve if they want to break through against a tough Twisters penalty kill.
Pembina Valley, currently sitting at 1-2-1, has had a rollercoaster start to the season. Their latest outing, a 5-3 win over St. Boniface, showed flashes of their potential, but consistency has been a concern. Offensively, the Twisters are led by veteran forward Colton Swedlo, who has been a point-per-game player so far, while on the back end, defenseman Jacob Boucher has been solid. The Twisters’ goaltending tandem of Erik Larsen and Adam Young has been tested early, and will need to be sharp against a Stonewall team that can capitalize on defensive breakdowns. Both teams are seeking to find a groove and establish themselves as playoff contenders, making this a critical matchup even at this early stage of the season.
Tonight’s games promise plenty of action, with teams looking to either extend their winning ways or break out of early-season slumps. From high-flying offenses to determined defensive stands, this evening's slate has something for every hockey fan to enjoy.