The Selkirk Steelers will go another spring without playoff hockey.
With the Winkler Flyers clinching the fourth and final playoff spot in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s MGEU East Division last week, Selkirk was officially eliminated from postseason contention. The club still has 10 regular-season games remaining.
It marks the fourth consecutive season the Steelers will miss the playoffs.
Selkirk sits fifth in the MGEU East, a division that includes national contenders in the Niverville Nighthawks and Steinbach Pistons — currently ranked among the top Junior A teams in Canada. The Portage Terriers and Winkler Flyers are battling for third place with 63 points apiece.
The Steelers trail with 39 points and an 18-27-2-1 record. The Winnipeg Blues (29 points) and Winnipeg Monarchs (18) sit behind them in the standings.
A winless February has proven costly. Selkirk entered last week riding a seven-game skid, which stretched to 10 straight losses following defeats to Niverville, Portage and Neepawa.
On Monday, the Steelers dropped an 8-3 decision on the road against the first-place Nighthawks despite a strong opening period. Selkirk led 2-1 after 20 minutes on goals from Jules Delepoulle and Ayden Collins.
After Niverville struck twice early in the second, Wyatt Witham tied the game 3-3 for Selkirk. The Nighthawks regained the lead late in the frame and then added four more in the third to seal the win.
Hudson Hunnie made 35 saves in net for Selkirk, while Niverville’s Austin Dubinsky stopped 28 shots.
Friday in Portage, the Terriers earned a 7-3 victory after jumping out to a 3-0 first-period lead. Ty Mistelbacher got Selkirk on the board before Witham cut the deficit to one midway through the second. Portage responded with two more goals, including a buzzer-beater, to take a 5-2 lead into the third.
The Terriers added two more in the final frame before Jayton Frederick scored in the dying seconds. Ethan Sawyer made 31 saves for Selkirk, while Portage’s Logan Cunningham stopped 24.
The Steelers returned home Saturday but fell 8-5 to the Neepawa Titans in a high-scoring affair. Frederick opened the scoring for Selkirk, while Peyten Legg-Cote, Carter Haney and Evan Mayer found the net in the second period as the Titans carried a 5-4 lead after two.
Neepawa struck just nine seconds into the third to extend its lead. Witham pulled Selkirk within one midway through the period before the Titans sealed the win with two late goals.
Hunnie made 21 saves and Sawyer added 11 in relief. Neepawa’s Alex Myers stopped 35 shots for the win.
Despite the loss, Selkirk marked two milestones. Witham recorded his 100th career MJHL point, while Griffin Krone played his 100th career MJHL game.
The Steelers now prepare for a three-game week against Steinbach, the Winnipeg Monarchs and the Virden Oil Capitals.
Upcoming Games:
• Wednesday, Feb. 25 — at Steinbach Pistons, 7 p.m., Southeast Event Centre
• Friday, Feb. 27 — vs. Winnipeg Monarchs, 7:30 p.m., Selkirk Recreation Complex
• Saturday, Feb. 28 — vs. Virden Oil Capitals, 7:30 p.m., Selkirk Recreation Complex
