MMJHL Game Preview: October 17, 2024

Tonight’s lone MMJHL contest sees the slumping Pembina Valley Twisters visit the high-flying St. Vital Jr. Victorias at 7:30 PM at the St. Vital Centennial Arena.

These two teams are heading in opposite directions, with the Twisters desperate to break a five-game losing streak while the Jr. Victorias look to extend their dominance at the top of the standings.

Pembina Valley, currently sitting in 10th place with a 1-5-1 record, has faced significant struggles on both sides of the puck. Offensively, they’ve managed just 13 goals through seven games, averaging a mere 1.86 goals per contest. Forwards Austin Spicer and Josh Guilford are tied for the team lead with 5 points each, but overall, scoring depth has been an issue, with only three players registering more than two points so far. Defensively, things have been just as tough. The Twisters are allowing 4.29 goals per game and have given up a total of 30 goals this season. Goaltenders Maysen Mazurat and Darion Penner have faced a barrage of shots, with Penner standing out despite his 1-2-0 record, posting a respectable .904 save percentage.

Head coach Braeden Beernaerts will be looking for his squad to find a spark tonight against a formidable opponent in St. Vital. Key to any potential upset will be tightening up their defense and relying on their goaltending to withstand St. Vital's relentless attack.

Meanwhile, the Jr. Victorias (6-1-0) enter the matchup on a five-game winning streak and lead the league with a blistering 4.86 goals per game. The combination of team captain Tyler Rubigny and assistant captain Ryland Nechwediuk has been virtually unstoppable. Rubigny leads the MMJHL in scoring with an incredible 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in seven games, while Nechwediuk has contributed a league-leading 17 assists. The duo, alongside Aidan Anderson (11 points), has powered a St. Vital offense that continues to overwhelm opponents.

While Ethan Penner has been the backbone in goal, with a stellar 4-0-0 record and a .923 save percentage, tonight’s game may provide head coach Tyler Anderson an opportunity to rest him and rotate his other netminders. Backup goaltenders Mason Tabak and François Gagnon have both seen action in the early part of the season, and tonight could be a chance for one of them to start against a Twisters offense that has struggled to find its rhythm. Tabak, who has a 1-1-0 record with a .877 save percentage, could step in to provide solid backup duty, while Gagnon impressed in limited action, making 19 saves in his lone appearance, a 2.47 GAA performance.

For St. Vital, maintaining their fast-paced, aggressive style will be crucial. They lead the league in shots on goal, averaging 35 per game, and will look to keep Pembina Valley’s defense on their heels throughout the night. If they get an early lead, we could also see the Jr. Victorias take advantage of their depth, giving players like Blake Lee and Luke Elliott more opportunities to contribute offensively.

With this being the first of five meetings between the two teams this season, both squads will be eager to set the tone. St. Vital will look to extend their winning streak and continue to assert themselves as the top team in the league, while Pembina Valley will be hoping to halt their slide and pick up their first road win of the season. Either way, the matchup promises to be a compelling one, with the Twisters aiming for a much-needed upset against the league’s hottest team.