The Selkirk Steelers moved past the midway point of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season last week with a trio of games against the Niverville Nighthawks, Waywayseecappo Wolverines and Portage Terriers.
After dropping all three contests, Selkirk’s record slipped to 15-15-2 through 32 games, leaving the club just one point ahead of the Winkler Flyers for the final MGEU East Division playoff spot.
The week opened Tuesday at Selkirk Recreation Complex with a 6-1 loss to Niverville. Selkirk held a 1-0 lead after the opening period on a goal from Owen Branson, but the Nighthawks broke the game open with five goals in the second. Niverville added one more in the third to close out the scoring.
Steelers netminder Ethan Sawyer made 38 saves in the loss, while Niverville’s Ben Chornomydz earned the win with 16 stops.
Selkirk followed with a tighter contest Thursday in Waywayseecappo, falling 3-1 to the Wolverines. The Steelers trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes before Dawson Madden tied the game midway through the second period. Waywayseecappo regained the lead before the end of the frame and held a 2-1 advantage deep into the third.
Selkirk pressed for a late equalizer, but an empty-net goal at the 19:42 mark sealed the result for the Wolverines. Hudson Hunnie turned aside 35 shots for Selkirk, while Mariko Bercier stopped 25 in the win.
The Steelers then returned home Saturday for their Holiday Game, skating in front of their largest crowd of the season as 967 fans packed Selkirk Recreation Complex for a matchup with the Portage Terriers. With free admission offered, spectators saw Selkirk grab a 1-0 lead early in the third period on Branson’s second goal of the week.
Portage responded with two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead before adding two more later in the period to secure a 4-1 victory. Sawyer finished with 33 saves for Selkirk, while Mitchell Kathler made 27 stops to earn the win for the Terriers.
The Steelers will look to snap their three-game skid before the Christmas break with two key divisional matchups this week against Winkler and Niverville.
Upcoming games:
Tuesday, Dec. 16 — vs. Winkler Flyers, 7:30 p.m., Selkirk Recreation Complex
Friday, Dec. 19 — at Niverville Nighthawks, 7:30 p.m., Niverville CRRC
