In the end, it doesn't really mean much but it is nice nonetheless. The National Junior A Hockey Rankings are released each week and it is a list that is always open to debate. For the most part, the teams on the list do not play against each other until the Centennial Cup and it is extremely tough to gauge the strength of one league compared to another in any given year. Plus, a high national ranking means absolutely nothing when the puck is dropped at playoff time. It's wins on the ice that tell the real story.
The Terriers are having another fantastic season and in any given year, they may find themselves at the top of the standings as they sport an impressive 31-11-4-4 record. Unfortunately for them though, three other teams are having an even better season. The Steinbach Pistons have been the class of the league since day 1 with Winkler and Virden right behind them. Portage is certainly in the mix, but for whatever team wins this year, they will certainly have to knock off a couple of tough opponents.
The Terriers are in the midst of a week-long break and while they have been practicing, it has been a good opportunity for players to rest up some of their bumps and bruises. The team will hit the road early Friday morning for a game against OCN in The Pas Friday night and then a match in Swan Valley on Saturday. Their next home game is Wednesday, March 6th when they host Neepawa.
As far as the rankings go, The Steinbach Pistons, Winkler Flyers, Virden Oil Capitals, and Portage Terriers are all in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s weekly Top 20 this week. The MJHL's East Division-leading Pistons move up a notch from number three to number two. The Flyers moved from number five to four while the West Division-leading Oil Capitals stay at number eight. Portage is now on the list at number 17. The Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Collingwood Blues have now taken over as the number one ranked team in the country ending the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Flin Flon Bombers 15-week run at the top. After being pretty much unstoppable all season, the Manitoba-based team is 3-4 in their last 7. Collingwood was in Portage this past spring as a participant at the Centennial Cup.
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING)
1. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (2)
2. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (3)
3. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (1)
4. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (5)
5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (4)
6. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (6)
7. Navan Grads (CCHL) (7)
8. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) (8)
9. Milton Menace (OJHL) (10)
10. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (9)
11. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) (11)
12. Edmundston Blizzard 0MHL) (15)
13. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (19)
14. Leamington Flyers (OJHL) (12)
15. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (14)
16. Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ) (18)
17. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (HM)
18. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) (13)
19. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) (NR)
20. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (16)