Blues Impress at MJHL Showcase

The MJHL Showcase took place this past weekend at the MTS Ice Plex, where the players from all teams were able to showcase their talents in front of scouts, fans, family, and teams.

And the Winnipeg Blues showed why they are tied for tops in the league, with a pair of wins over Steinbach and Swan Valley.

On Thursday, the Blues opened up the showcase by doubling up the Pistons 4-2.  Again the scoring was spread out, which has been the story for Winnipeg so far this season.

Connor Cleverley, Jared Morris, Dylan Kelly and Cole Murdock all lit the lamp in the win, while Isiah Plett was fantastic between the pipes, stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced.

On Friday night, goaltending was the story as Winnipeg's Nate Phillips and Swan Valley's Jayson Argue were both sensational, but the Blues would skate away with a 2-1 win in the contest.

Derek Gingera would get the only goal of the opening frame, putting home his 7th of the season.  The two teams would exchange goals in the second, with Winnipeg's Kyle Bodnaruk and Stampeders Troy Hoban tallying for their clubs.

 

The third would solve nothing as both goaltenders slammed the door shut and the Blues would improve their record to 8-2-0 on the season, tying them for first in league standings.

 

Winnipeg is back on the ice this coming Thursday night as they hop on the bus and head to Waywayseecappo to face the Wolverines (3-5-1)

 

Next home action for the Blues is Friday night when they welcome the Steinbach Pistons.   Puck drop for both games is 7:30.

Blues and Pistons Make Trade

 The Winnipeg Blues and Steinbach Pistons have made a trade.

Blues GM and Head Coach Don Macgillivray has announced Winnipeg has sent 1993 defenseman Matt Franzcyk to Steinbach in exchange for 1991 forward Tyson Price and futures.

Franzcyk has suited up for one game this season with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.  Last season he played 8 games with the Blues, as well as suiting up for Moose Jaw and Swift Current (WHL).

Price played 59 games for the Pistons last season, registering 8 goals and  28 points during the regular season.  So far this season Price has two goals and an assist in 8 games.

Offensive Outburst Gives Blues Big Win In Neepawa

Blues Head Coach/GM Don Macgillivray commented on how he likes the way his team has been getting contributions from all four lines on the scoresheet.   And last night in Neepawa was a perfect example of that.

Seven different Blues players lit the lamp as Winnipeg took over sole possession of first in the Addison Division with a 7-0 win over the Natives.

Dustin Pearson, Channing Bresianni, and Jared Morris all scored in the first period.

Jeremy Olynyk, David Lafleche, and Dylan Kelly answered with three of their own in the second, and Jeff Borse rounded out the scoring with a goal in the third.

Going maybe unnoticed was a solid effort in the pipes by Blues Isiah Plett who stopped all 25 shots he faced.

The Blues now lead the Winkler Flyers by two points, but the Flyers have three games in hand.

Notables

Blues

Derek Gingera had three helpers in the win.  That gives him 10 points on the year.
Jeremy Olynyk had a goal and an assist putting him in the team lead with 12 points.
The Blues didn't record a shutout all of last season

Natives

Neepawa is still looking for their first win of the season.  Their record now falls to 0-5-1 on the year
It doesn't get any easier for Neepawa as they get set to face the Winkler Flyers and Selkirk Steelers at next weekends showcase at the MTS Ice Plex

Blues next action is also at the showcase, when they'll face the Steinbach Pistons on Thursday night, then take on the Swan Valley Stampeders on Friday night.

Puck drop for both games is 7:00pm.

Blues Move Into Tie For First With Win Over Pistons

 The Winnipeg Blues played their second of three straight last night at the MTS Ice Plex, and came out on top with a 4-1 win over the visitng Steinbach Pistons.

The win moves the Blues into a tie for First in the Addison Division with the Winkler Flyers.  The Flyers have 2 games in hand.

Both goaltenders played well in this contest, with Winnipeg's Isiah Plett, and Pistons Brendan Edie making big saves keeping their teams in the game.

The Blues outshot Steinbach 15-7 in the opening period, but managed to put only one puck behind Edie, with Connor Cleverley notching his 3rd of the season.

Winnipeg would get the only marker of the 2nd as well, as Derek Gingera put home his team leading 6th of the year, giving the Blues a 2-0 lead heading into the third.

In the third, Jake Heisinger (4th of season) and Jared Morris (3rd of season)  all but sealed it for the Blues.   Pistons Connor Sisson would end the shutout bid for Plett, but Winnipeg skated away with a 4-1 win.

Notables

Blues

With his goal, Derek Gingera is tied for the league lead in goals with 6.
Paul Bonar had a strong defensive game, as well he added a pair of assists in the win.
Jeremy Olynyk had two assists and leads the Blues with 10 points this season.

Pistons

Pistons record falls to 3-5-0 after 8 games.
Edie falls to 0-3 on the year
Kyle Rous scored his 3rd of the year

Next action for the Blues is tonight when they'll play their 3rd game in three nights, hosting the Neepawa Natives.   The Natives will be looking for their first win of the season.  (0-4-1) 

Puck drop is set for 7:30

Saints Drop Blues With Three First Period Goals

Three first period goals were enough for the Winnipeg Saints, as they dropped the Winnipeg Blues 4-1 at the MTS Ice Plex Friday night.

And special teams was the catalyst for the Saints. 

Brett Chartier found the back of the net with an unassisted marker, with Paul Crane and Jeff Mitchell each scoring with the man advantage in the opening period.

Former Blue Jason Gardiner assisted on both powerplay goals.

The Saints chased Blues starting netminder Nate Phillips, and Isiah Plett would handle the load for the next two periods.

There was no scoring in the second period, and in the third the clubs exchanged goals, Jake Heisinger for the Blues, and Shane Gingera for the Saints, handing the Saints the 4-1 win.

The win improves the Saints record to 2-4-0, with the Blues falling to 4-2-0.

Next action for the Blues is tonight when welcome the Steinbach Pistons.   Puck drop is set for 7:30.