April 8/09
Awards Night Concludes Season
On Monday night at Boston Pizza, the Saints officially concluded the 2008/09 season with their annual awards night.

As well as players receiving pucks for commemorative goals, wins and shutouts, the following awards were presented by staff and management:
Ability and Sportsmanship - Rejean Carriere
Hardest Working Players - Scott Macaulay and Kyle Jeffery
Most Improved Player - Blake Chartier
Sobey's Three Star - Dan Watt
Iron Man - Blake Chartier
Defenceman of the Year - Scott Macaulay
Rookie of the Year - Jordan DePape
Playoff MVP - Blair Macaulay
Regular Season MVP and leading Scorer - Dan Watt

Mar. 26/09
Record Breaking Season Comes To An End
Down three games to two, the Saints skated north on Hwy 9 looking to extend the Addison Final to a game seven.

The first period started with the Steelers pressuring the Saints and keeping them out of the Selkirk end. The visitors capitalized on the powerplay when Watt scored 10:53 in. That was the only goal of the period but three shots that various Saints rang off the posts would have made a huge difference in the outcome.

The second period saw both teams turn up the offence with seven goals scored. The Saints jumped ahead 3-0 on goals by Chartier and King before the period was three and a half minutes old. The Steelers made it 3-1 but Carriere replied shortly afterward with another for the Saints. Three Selkirk goals in the final half of the period, two on the powerplay, left it tied at four after forty minutes.

With 3:29 gone in the third, Simchuk gave the Saints another lead with his 4th of the playoffs. That stood up until the final minute, and with their net empty, the Steelers squeaked one by Kuhlman to send the game into extra time.

The first overtime was scoreless, with the Saints killing off a late third period penalty, and both teams having their chances. Late in the second overtime, a snap shot off the stick of the Selkirk forward as he got past a Saints defender beat Kuhlman high and the Steelers won the Addison Division with a 6-5 double overtime thriller.

Mar. 24/09
Late Surge Not Enough As Steelers Down Saints
A blustery spring storm wasn't enough to keep over 700 junior hockey fans from game five of the Addison Division final.

Selkirk jumped to an early lead when they scored 41 seconds in. A Saints penalty led to the next Steelers goal as they increased their lead to 2-0 while on the powerplay. Watt's breakaway goal 30 seconds later brought the home squad back within one but a shorthanded goal by Selkirk with under six minutes left made it 3-1 after 20 minutes.

The second powerplay goal of the game for the Steelers three and a half minutes into the second made it a three goal game. But as they've done all year, the Saints regrouped and Chartier made it 4-2 six minutes in. Two more goals by the visitors made it 6-2 with a period still to play.

The third period was definitely the most eventful of the game. Starting two men down, the Saints killed off the first penalty. Just as a squirmish ended around the Saints net, the lights flickered and the arena went into darkness (other than the timeclock). When play resumed about 10 minutes later, the penalty benches were full as the result of all nine skaters on the ice being penalized. It wasn't until after the next blackout that the Saints beat the Steelers goaltender again as Simchuk connected on the powerplay. Massicotte's goal with 4:08 remaining brought the Saints within two but with Kuhlman pulled for the extra attacker, Selkirk hit the empty net and skated home with a 7-4 victory and a 3-2 series lead.

Mar. 20/09
Saints Even Series at Two
After game three's disappointing overtime loss, the Saints needed to move on and steal a win in Steeltown.

The game started with the Saints hemming the Steelers in their own end for the balance of the first 10 minutes. However, Selkirk hit the scoreboard first when an ill timed Saints pass between defencemen was intercepted and buried behind Kuhlman to make it 1-0. Jordan DePape scored his fourth of the playoffs to even the score at 1-1 in the final minute of the period.

After killing a penalty to start off the second, DePape fired his second of the game behind the Selkirk netminder to make it 2-1. Selkirk came back to tie it up before back-to-back goals by Blair Macaulay gave the Saints a 4-2 lead. On the powerplay, the Steelers got back to within one with 3:27 left but two minutes after that, Watt's 7th of the post-season left the Saints with a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes.

Early in the third and a man down, the Saints gave up a breakaway but Kuhlman's glove save held the Steelers at bay and the ensuing goal by Jeffery at 7:57 made it a 6-3 game. With the remainder of the game scoreless, the Saints regained home ice advantage and head back to Dakota with the series tied at two apiece.

Mar. 17/09
No Luck of the Irish on This Night
The Addison Division final ventured back to Dakota for game three.

Early on, it was Kuhlman bailing out his teammates as he stopped back-to-back Selkirk breakaways in the first few minutes. With 7:44 gone, Simchuk gave the Saints a 1-0 lead with his 1st of the series. Just under two minutes later, after some tenacious forechecking, the Saints rookie line of Hrabowych, Pruden, and Whitehill made it 2-0 when Hrabowych put one behind the Selkirk goalie. A late Steeler goal with :20 remaining in the period left it at 2-1 Saints after one.

Simchuk responded early in the second with his second of the night to extend the lead to two. Another Selkirk goal eight minutes in made it a one-goal game before Olynyk's shorthanded effort with 8:03 remaining made it 4-2. Selkirk bounced back with a goal of their own :34 later to tighten the score to 4-3.

MJHL Rookie of the Year Jordan DePape made it 5-3 with just under seven minutes remaining in the third but an undisciplined penalty on the Saints after the goal gave the Steelers a powerplay which proved costly as they capitalized to get back to within one. With their goalie pulled in the final minute for an extra attacker, Selkirk was able to sneak one by Kuhlman with 28 seconds left to force the game into overtime.

Each team had their chances in overtime. When a penalty was called on the Steelers two minutes in, the Saints had their chance. But shortly after the penalty ended, the Steelers broke through the Saints defence and beat Kuhlman to complete the comeback and take game three 6-5.

Mar. 15/09
Steelers Even Series At One
Sunday night saw the Saints and Steelers meet up at the Rec Centre in Selkirk.

For the second game in a row, an early penalty to Selkirk led to Watt giving the Saints an early lead, this time only 2:28 in. Midway through the period, the Steelers tied it up and two minutes later, took the lead for good. Another Selkirk goal a minute later left it at 3-1 after one.

The second saw each team with numerous chances but it was the Steelers with the only goal as they made it 15:48 in.

Kirkpatrick's goal 3:08 in on the powerplay got the Saints back within two. However, with Kuhlman pulled for the extra attacker, Selkirk sealed the victory with an empty netter and a 5-2 win.

Mar. 13/09
Friday the 13th - A Goaltenders Nightmare
The Saints and Selkirk played in front of a packed Dakota crowd in game one of the Addison Finals.

On an early powerplay, Watt gave the Saints a 1-0 lead 4:32 in. Selkirk tied it up a minute later with a powerplay goal of their own. Chartier's 5th of the post-season two and a half minutes later gave the Saints a lead they'd never relinquish...barely. Before the period was half over, Kirkpatrick made it 3-1. Another goal by the Steelers seemed to light a fire under the Saints as they scored four more (Hayduk, Blair Macaulay, Jordan DePape, and Watt with his second) in the final eight minutes to leave a busy first with a 7-2 lead.

The Saints opened the second on the powerplay and took advantage as Watt completed his hat trick. Just over a minute and a half later, Selkirk made it 8-3. Jordan DePape and Blair Macaulay each scored their 2nd of the game before the period was seven minutes old. The Steelers kept plugging away and made it 10-4. With their 5th powerplay goal of the game 11:15 in by Ryan DePape and another by Selkirk, the 2nd period finished at 11-5.

A six-goal lead is considered comfortable in most hockey circles, and it looked that way as the final 10 minutes of the 3rd approached. However two goals by the Steelers :37 apart seemed to spark them. Another Selkirk goal with 6:48 left made it 11-8. The closest the Steelers would get would be in the final seconds as the Saints escaped a wild game with a 11-9 game one victory.

Mar. 5/09
Kuhlman Shuts Out Natives for Series Sweep
Hoping for a series sweep and to move onto the division finals, the Saints headed to Neepawa.

With the offence that the Saints have shown in the series thus far, it was a bad bounce off the boards that led to the Saints taking an early lead as Hrabowych netted his 1st of the post-season. A late period fracas led to Neepawa losing their captain and leader for the night while Buors got to meet and greet with the Neepawa timekeeping staff for 19 minutes. After 20 minutes, the score remained 1-0 Saints.

Playing five-on-three early in the second, Ryan DePape extended the lead to 2-0 only 1:14 in. Both teams had their share of chances during the remainder of the period but both goaltenders, Kuhlman for the Saints and Shenher for the Natives, held their ground and the second period ended with a two-goal Saints lead.

Another early period goal made it three nil when Watt converted a setup from Blair Macaulay and Chartier. The teams went end-to-end throughout the third but again, both goalies held strong not allowing another goal and the Saints headed home with a 3-0 win and a series sweep.

Mar. 3/09
One More Win To Advance
A win in game three was needed to put the Natives on the brink of elimination and the Saints within one victory of their third straight Addison Division final.

It was all Saints in the first as they outshot Neepawa 17-5. Hayduk got the home fans cheering early when he beat the Natives goaltender :34 in. Blair Macaulay's goal 7:14 in gave the Saints a 2-0 lead after one.

Neepawa returned the favour in the second when they got to within one only :35 in. However, similar to the first period, Carriere regained the Saints two-goal lead, this time at 7:09. Macaulay followed that up a minute and a half later with his second of the game. Not to be outdone, Carriere notched his second, this time on the powerplay, with 4:20 remaining and the teams headed to the third with a 5-1 advantage.

Another early goal, this time by the Saints only :21 in by Chartier extended the lead. The final goal of the game by Pruden, on a nice setup from Whitehill, left it at a 7-1 final and the Saints with a three games to none lead.

Mar. 1/09
Saints Take Game Two In Neepawa
After a resounding game one victory, the boys headed up the Yellowhead to take on the Natives in game two.

Keeping up their scoring touch from game one, Carriere opened the scoring for the Saints 1:41 in. Watt extended the lead to 2-0 two and a half minutes later as the Saints outshot the Natives 13 to 5.

The second period was non-eventful until the final 3:17. After Blair Macaulay scored on a pretty setup from the DePape brothers, Neepawa came right back and made it a two goal game. Not to be outdone, the Saints came back a little over a minute later as Scott Macaulay made it 4-1. With Hayduk in the box, Ryan DePape knocked in a Blair Macaulay centering pass on a 2-on-1 to extend the lead. As the period ended, a frustrated Neepawa team gave Kuhlman a bump that set off some minor squirmishes that led to the Saints starting the third on a 4-on-3 advantage.

With a comfortable four-goal lead heading to the third and with both teams a few players short resting in the penalty box, the Saints held fast. Blair Macaulay's goal with 5:20 left made it 6-1 and the Saints head home for game three at Dakota on Tuesday night.

Game Note: Kudos to the Neepawa Online broadcast crew. Nice to see different angles on the camera work and exceptional play-by-play and colour commentary. Two thumbs up from the Winnipeg fans.

Feb. 27/09
Second Season Begins
The Saints played host to Neepawa to start the first ever crossover Addison Division semifinal.

Neepawa came out flying, hitting any and all Saints. They did however forget about one. Speedy MJHL Defenceman of the Year Scott Macaulay. Macaulay picked up the puck in his own end and weaved his way through the Natives to beat the Neepawa goaltender and give the Saints the lead 3:44 in. On the powerplay midway through the period, Kirkpatrick extended the lead to 2-0. The Saints got a bit sloppy in their own end and this led to Neepawa's first goal. Ryan DePape regained the two-goal advantage with 3:16 left and was followed a minute later when Chartier converted on the powerplay to make it 4-1 Saints after one.

With just under eight minutes gone in the second, Blair Macaulay broke in shorthanded on the Natives goaltender, beating him to make it 5-1. Carriere's goal at the 9:13 mark chased the Neepawa starter and made it a five goal lead. Neepawa scored their second goal with just over three minutes left but the Saints quickly replied :13 later with Blair Macaulay's second of the game to leave it at 7-2 with a period still to play.

The third period saw Saints goals by Hayduk and Chartier with his second of the contest mixed around a couple of spirited tilts involving Olynyk and Jordan DePape. When the dust was settled, the Saints won 9-2 and get ready for game two Sunday in Neepawa.

Feb. 22/09
Record Setting Season Comes To End...Bring On The Playoffs
The Saints finished off the highest scoring season in their history with a Sunday night game against the Blues.

Needing only two goals to break the previous record set during the 1982-83 season, the Saints got to work only. Jordan DePape's 34th 2:19 in made it 1-0 and he was followed a little over three minutes later when older brother Ryan made it 2-0. Buors increased the lead with five and a half left and Carriere completed the first period scoring with his 33rd to make it 4-0.

The second period was dominated by the Saints with six goals on 18 shots. Kirkpatrick opened and closed the scoring with his 12th and 13th of the season. Sandwiched between his two were singles by Jeffery, Carriere's second of the night, Chartier, and Watt to leave it at 10-0 after 40 minutes.

For the second night in a row, all that was left was to preserve the shutout for Kuhlman. Jeffery's 22nd with five minutes gone was followed three and a half minutes later with Whitehill's 4th...finally! Ryan DePape's second of the game with 7:57 remaining made it 13-0. But the shutout for Kuhlman wasn't meant to be. Direct off the ensuing faceoff, the Blues hit the scoreboard, ending Kuhlman's shutout streak at just over 140 minutes. With the remainder of the game scoreless, the Saints skate into the playoffs with a convincing 13-1 victory.

Feb. 21/09
Kuhlman Shuts Out Hungry Wolverines
Playing a team that's in the midst of a seven game in eight day schedule to make up games, the Saints headed to Waywayseecappo to take on the Wolverines.

The first period saw Waywayseecappo do something the Saints usually do to their opponents, outshoot them. But Kuhlman held strong in the Saints net and the game remained scoreless into the second.

That tie didn't last long as the Saints scored two goals (Kirkpatrick and Simchuk) in the first two minutes to take a lead. The game remained 2-0 until the final minute and a half of the period when Kirkpatrick with his second of the night and Buors doubled the Saints lead to 4-0.

The final period saw Chartier net his 44th of the year 5:41 in. With 8:15 left, Jeffery's 20th made it six zip and the final Saints goal was off the stick of MJHL Rookie of the Year, Jordan DePape with his 33rd. All that was left was to preserve the shutout. Kuhlman faced 36 shots in total, stopping them all to record his 2nd shutout of the season in the 7-0 win.

Feb. 18/09
First Round Warm Up?
As the regular season draws to a close, the Saints traveled to Neepawa to play what looks like their 1st round opponent.

The Saints led after a relatively quiet 1st period on Watt's 61st of the season. The middle frame was all Neepawa as they scored four against a Saints single goal by Carriere to lead 4-2 after 40 minutes.

Jordan DePape's goal with 8:48 remaining in the third brought the Saints to within one but a Natives goal in the final minute sealed the victory for the home squad at 5-3.

Feb. 15/09
A Memorable Final Regular Season Home Game
With Jordan DePape and Scott Macaulay being awarded the MJHL awards for Rookie of the Year and Defenceman of the Year prior to the game, the Saints had much to celebrate.

And they came out flying, outshooting Swan Valley 15-5 and outscoring them 4-0. The Saints got goals from Watt and the DePape brothers (one from Ryan and two from Jordan).

The Stampeders hit the scoreboard a little over nine minutes in but that was answered two and a half minutes later when Carriere beat the Swan Valley keeper. After two periods, the Saints held a 5-1 lead.

The third saw Chartier notch his 43rd of the year while the younger DePape completed his hat trick and Watt finished off the scoring with his league leading 60th of the year making the final 8-1 Saints.

Feb. 14/09
Saints Clinch First With Chippy Valentines Day Win
It was a playoff atmosphere as the Saints took on the Winkler Flyers in hope of locking up first place in the Addison Division.

The game was tied after one after an early Saints shorthanded goal by Blair Macaulay was answered by the Flyers in the final minute.

The Saints took a three goal lead midway through the second on goals by Chartier, Pruden, and Ryan DePape. However, the Flyers scored two to end the period at a narrow 4-3 Saints lead.

Winkler tied the game up early in the third and took their first lead of the game 8:51 in. With just over six minutes left, Kirkpatrick evened the game at five and :50 later, Jordan DePape stuffed one home to regain the lead for the home squad. An empty net goal off the skate of Hayduk sealed the 7-5 victory for Kuhlman and the Saints.

Feb. 11/09
Saints Feast on Blades
With only 14 skaters, the Blades hoped to keep it close against the Saints in their final meeting of the year.

But a six goal first period by the Saints didn't help the Blades cause. Kirkpatrick with a hat trick led the way while singles went to Watt, Simchuk, and Scott Macaulay.

The second period saw the Saints score first on Blair Macaulay's powerplay goal 3:34 in. Beausejour broke the shutout almost nine minutes in before another four straight (Watt and Simchuk with their second and singles by Carriere and Chartier) made it 11-1 after two periods.

The Blades opened the scoring in the third before DePape replied for the Saints a minute later. A last second goal by Beausejour left the final at 12-3 Saints.

Feb. 8/09
Steelers Shut Down Saints
The top two Addison Division teams met Sunday night in Selkirk for their final regular season game.

And it was the visitors who took an early lead only 1:39 in when Hayduk scored an unassisted shorthanded goal. With no other scoring in the first, the Saints led 1-0 after one. Almost six minutes into the second, the Steelers tied it up. The reminder of the period remained scoreless and we headed to the third tied at one.

The third saw Selkirk go ahead for the first time when they scored just 5:07 in on the powerplay and extend their lead to 3-1 with eleven and a half minutes remaining. The Saints couldn't muster many scoring chances and fell to Selkirk 3-1 and seeing their season series against the Steelers drop to three wins against six losses.

Feb. 7/09
Goaltenders Stand Tall As Saints Edge Blues
With their final matchup of the year, the Saints and Blues met up on Saturday night at Dakota.

On an early powerplay, the Saints took the lead on Watt's 55th of the year. The first period ended tied after a giveaway at the Blues blueline led to a Winnipeg South breakaway goal.

The only goal of the second was a pretty single-handed effort by Blair Macaulay as he worked his way around the Blues net and put in his 23rd of the season.

Less than two minutes into the third, Watt scored his second of the game to make it 3-1. A powerplay goal by Chartier at the 6:06 mark extended the Saints lead to 4-1. A late goal on the man-advantage by the Blues brought them within two but with their goaltender pulled, Simchuk scored into the empty net with a second remaining to leave the final at 5-2 and cutting the Saints magic number to two to clinch first place in the Addison.

Feb. 5/09
Saints' Macaulay heading to Northern Michigan
Saints defenceman Scott Macaulay recently completed a unique hat trick of sorts: being selected to Team West at the Under-17 World Junior A Challenge, playing at the Prospects Game and lastly ... accepting a scholarship to Northern Michigan University.

“We're very excited to have Scott join our team,” says NMU Assistant Coach Rob Facca. “We watched him extensively, we were impressed with him as both a player and student. He really brings a lot to our university. Scott is an exceptional skater and has the ability to move the puck quickly. We believe that with his speed, he'll quickly adapt to the college game.”

Macaulay will be joining another MJHL alumni -- defenceman Andrew Fernandez, who starred with the Selkirk Steelers in the 2006-07 season. NMU Wildcats are a Division I team which competes in the highly competitive Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Earlier this season, the Wildcats announced the signing of a former MJHLer, Stephane Vigier, who starred last season with Swan Valley Stampeders. “We're very familiar with the talent level of the Manitoba Junior League,” says Facca. “We're pleased to add both Stephane and Scott.”

One NMU grad with MJHL roots is Dirk Southern, who suited up with the Saints in the mid-nineties. Southern has since seen time with the Manitoba Moose of the American League. Macaulay, 18, currently has 41 points (6-35) coming into this weekend's action. The native of Winnipeg sits fourth overall in scoring for defencemen.

Feb. 3/09
Saints Barrage Blades
Tuesday night at Southdale, a short-staffed Blades team was no match for the Saints. Usually when you're on the short end of a 12-1 game, there are not many highlights. That was not the case on this night as the Blades goaltenders, being peppered with 78 shots, at times kept the Saints shooters at bay and the score from getting any worse.

The Saints scored five in the first starting with Watt's 54th of the season 5:21 in. Jordan DePape weaved his way through the Blades for his 1st of the evening at the 8:13 mark and followed that up :13 later with his 2nd. Jeffery's 18th made it 4-0 midway through and Carriere's goal with 7:30 left made it five in a row.

Beausejour broke through Kullman early in the second to get on the scoreboard. Kirkpatrick's goal a minute and a half later regained the five-goal Saints lead. On a 5-on-3 advantage, Buors shoveled home his own rebound at the 13:32 mark and twelve seconds later, Simchuk's own powerplay goal made it 8-1. Hrabowych tacked on another with his16th of the year and the second period scoring was capped off with Jeffery's shorthanded goal in the final minute to make it 10-1 with a period still to play.

In the third, the Blades goaltender was under constant pressure and at some points left on his own. With 32 shots against, he didn't allow another Saints goal until the final minute and a half when Chartier netted two, his 38th and 39th, to leave the final at 12-1 Saints.

Jan. 30/09
Saints Stay Sharp Over Blades
Making their final appearance of the season in Beausejour, the Saints looked to reduce their magic number to clinch the Addison Division.

Jeffery's back-to-back goals :27 apart gave the Saints a 2-0 lead before the game was eight minutes old. While shorthanded, Buors extended the lead and with Simchuk's powerplay goal during a five minute man-advantage, the score was 4-0 Saints after one.

Still on the powerplay to start the second, the Saints scored two more (DePape and Hrabowych) to take a 6-0 lead. Beausejour scored the only other goal of the period 5:11 in to leave it at 6-1 after 40 minutes.

The third period saw the Saints score early as Massicotte made it 7-1 :25 in. Less than a minute later, Pruden hit the scoresheet with his 10th of the season. Macaulay made it 9-1 before the Blades beat Kuhlman with their second of the night. On the powerplay, Jeffery completed his hat trick with four and a half minutes remaining. Hrabowych rounded out the scoring with his 15th to leave the final score at 11-2 Saints.

Jan. 27/09
A Win's A Win
Playing out of Roland Michener for the second time this season, the Saints hosted Neepawa.

All of their previous matchups this season had been decided by one goal but it didn't look that way early on as Neepawa had a three goal lead midway through the first period. Simchuk finally got the Saints on the scoreboard with his 5th shorthanded goal of the year. Jordan DePape brought the Saints to within one with 1:42 left. Heading to the second period, Neepawa led 3-2.

The Natives doubled their lead just under five minutes into the second but that was answered a minute later when Chartier put one home. Simchuk's second of the night, this time on the powerplay, with 5:26 remaining left the game tied at 4 heading for the final period.

The third saw both teams with their chances on the powerplay, and both converted. Neepawa took another lead midway through but Watt tied it up with 2:47 left to force the game into OT.

With Neepawa playing shorthanded to start overtime, it was a 4-on-3 advantage for the Saints. With all the play in the Natives end and after numerous scoring chances, Blair Macaulay finally beat the shell-shocked Neepawa goaltender and the Saints snuck out of Transcona with an ugly 6-5 OT victory.

Jan. 23/09
Six Unanswered Goals Down Flyers
Friday night, the Flyers hosted the Saints prior to the All-Star Break.

With 6:44 left in the first, Winkler scored the first of two goals 20 seconds apart to take a 2-0 lead. Carriere's 28th of the year with just under four minutes remaining left the score at 2-1 Flyers after one.

Blair Macaulay's 20th 1:32 into the second tied the game up early on. The game remained even for almost 10 minutes until Hayduk gave the Saints their 1st lead of the night with his 10th and the Saints led 3-2 after 40 minutes.

The third period was all Saints as they scored three unanswered goals. Ryan DePape's 16th 2:26 in made it 4-2. Later in the period, Chartier's 35th was followed up three minutes later with Watt's league leadiing 53rd giving the Saints a 6-2 road victory and edging closer (magic number of 7) to clinching 1st place in the Addison.

Jan. 20/09
Watt Finishes Off Terriers In OT
The final meeting of the regular season (and third in January) had the Saints visiting the Terriers.

Portage jumped out to 2-0 lead by the end of the first period. The second saw the Saints lethal powerplay connect when Watt buried his 51st to cut the lead to one heading for the third.

Early in the final period, the Saints tied it up on the powerplay when Ryan DePape beat the Portage tender. Midway through the period, and again with the man-advantage, the Saints had a chance to take the lead but that backfird when the Terriers went ahead with a short-handed effort. That lead was short-lived as five minutes later, DePape's brother Jordan brought the Saints even again and the game headed for overtime.

Playing 4-on-4 in overtime, the Saints came right at the Terriers and with only :24 gone, Watt converted a Dyrkis pass to give the Saints a 4-3 overtime victory.

Jan. 17/09
Saints Stampede Swan Valley
On Saturday night, the Saints played host to Swan Valley.

Jeffery opened the scoring with less than six minutes remaining on a nice setup from Jordan DePape. On the powerplay two minutes later, Chartier found the back of the net to give the Saints a 2-0 lead after one.

The second saw the Saints double their lead early on. Buors shot from the point found its way through traffic 1:52 in. Thirty seconds later, and on the powerplay, Simchuk converted atic-tac-toe play for a 4-0 lead. The Stampeders fought back later in the period with two goals of their own to leave it at 4-2 heading for the third.

With 20 minutes to play, the Saints buckled down and dominated the period, oushooting Swan Valley 15-3 and outscoring them 3-0. Ryan DePape extended the lead to three goals 7:08 in. With goals :19 apart midway through by Jordan DePape and Hrabowych, the Saints decreased their magic number to clinch 1st place in the Addison with a 7-2 victory.

Jan. 16/09
Special Night At Southdale
An emotional week for the Saints family ended with a memorable game at Southdale against the Kings.

On Friday night, showing tremendous courage in front of a crowd that was there to show their love and support for the family, Jordan Mistelbacher's father Mark and brother Tyler dropped a ceremonial puck before the game. Even though there were hundreds of fans watching, it was so quiet in the arena that onlookers could hear the puck hit the ice before a minute of silence. The silence ended less than a minute into the game when Blake Chartier, wearing Mistelbacher's name bar across the bottom of his jersey, scored and saluted his long-time friend. Goals by the Kings 17 seconds apart midway through the period left the score at 2-1 after the first.

Seven minutes into the second, Jordan DePape tied it up and gave the Saints their first lead at the 12:19 mark with his second of the game. Simchuk doubled the lead 34 seconds later but the Kings got back to within one shortly afterward. Dauphin continued to pressure and tied it up with 5:40 remaining. With just under three minutes left in the period, Watt regained the Saints lead heading into the third.

Seven and a half minutes into the third and on the powerplay, Watt scored his second of the game to make it 6-4. Kirkpatrick, back from injury and obviously not missing a step, scored a minute later with a man advantage to increase the lead to three. On this emotional night for all, Watt completed his hat trick with his 50th goal of the year with 7:14 remaining to leave the final score at 8-4.

Jan. 15/09
Saints Will Be Marching Into Selkirk
The Saints will be well represented during the all-star weekend in Selkirk on January 24th and 25th.

As the first place team in the Addison Division, Doug and Trevor Stokes will be leading the Addison All-Stars against their Sher-Wood counterparts. Assisting on the bench and behind the scenes will be trainer Jeff Ayre and equipment managers Rob Terin and Ken Berthlette.

When the Prospects Game hits the ice Saturday night at 7 p.m., it'll be the MJHL's leading rookie scorer Jordan DePape along with teammates Tim Hayduk, Cole Pruden, and Derek Whitehill suiting up for the Addison Division.

For Sunday's All-Star game, joining the Saints staff on the bench will be the MJHL's leading scorer, Dan Watt, his linemates Blair Macaulay and Blake Chartier, along with Craig Simchuk up front. On defence, Scott Macaulay and Stephane Massicotte will defend the Addison net where Christian Peloquin will be. The All-Star game starts at 2 p.m. on the Sunday.

Jan. 14/09
Tragedy Hits Saints Hard
The hockey community is in mourning today after news of the death of Saints' forward Jordan Mistelbacher.

Mistelbacher, 19, died unexpectedly on Tuesday. The Winnipeg native had been playing for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL and was sent down on the weekend to the Saints. During the 2006-07 season, Jordan played for the Saints and recorded five goals and 26 assists in 50 games.

"The Winnipeg Saint organization is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic news," said Saint GM Wayne Anderson. "Our deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to Jordan's family."

A moment of silence in Jordan's memory will be observed prior to this Friday's game at Southdale against the Dauphin Kings.

Jan. 13/09
Another Saints Record Falls
It took 28 years but another Saints career mark was surpassed on Friday night in Selkirk.

With his assist on Ryan DePape's powerplay goal midway through the third period, Dan Watt overtook Joe Tataryn as the Saints all-time career assists leader with 145. Dan currently leads the MJHL with 107 points, including 47 goals and 60 assists.

Jan. 11/09
Team Effort Doubles Up Flyers
After Friday nights drubbing at the hands of the Steelers, the Saints needed to step up against the Flyers.

It was 2-1 after one for the Flyers as they jumped to a 2-0 lead with 5:27 left. Chartier's powerplay goal with a little over three minutes left was all the Saints could muster in the first.

The second was a different story. Chartier's second brought the Saints even and his third of the game, a natural hat trick, midway through gave the Saints their 1st lead of the game. It was all Chartier on this night as he notched his 4th of the game in the final minute of the period to leave it at 4-2 after two.

All was left in the third was for the Saints to hold on and defend their lead. A solid team effort ensued with no goals scored by either team and the Saints rebounded from Friday nights loss with a 4-2 victory.

Jan. 9/09
With Deadline Day Around The Corner, Not The Time To Let Up
Selkirk hosted the Saints on Friday night in an important Addison Division matchup.

On this night, the Steelers were less than hospitable as they jumped ahead 5-1 after one period. The only Saints goal was just over five minutes in when Blair Macaulay tied it at one.

The second saw Selkirk score three more, all on specialty teams, to have an insurmountable lead of 8-1 after 40 minutes.

A four-goal third by the Saints brought them closer as Carriere scored two with singles by Ryan DePape and Watt. A single goal by Selkirk left it at an uninspired 9-5 loss.

Jan. 8/09
Saints Depth Too Much For Terriers
The MTS Centre played host to the Saints and Terriers for the Daryl Steen Challenge Cup.

Following a pre-game moment of silence to honour the passing of Daryl Steen this past summer and former MJHL Commisioner Bill Addison on Tuesday night, the Saints got to work. Only 1:42 in, they took their first lead of the game on Craig Simchuk's goal. Near the end of a very conservative first period, Portage tied it up at one.

The start of the second once again brought a Saints goal when Ryan DePape regained the Saints advantage. Following a Terriers goal at the 7:03 mark to once again tie it up, the Saints scored two goals in :43 (Rejean Carriere with his 25th and Dan Watt's 46th) to jump ahead 4-2 after two periods.

Two Saints goals with just over two minutes gone in the third by Jordan DePape and Tim Hayduk extended the lead to 6-2. Back-to-back goals seemed to be in fashion on this evening after the elder DePape (Ryan) and Kyle Jeffery scored :42 apart to make it Saints 8 Portage 2. Only a late Terriers goal with 1:40 left brought the score to 8-3 as the Saints knocked off the CJAHL's #4 ranked team.

Jan. 4/09
Saints Take Bite Out Of Terriers
Looking forward to the annual Daryl Steen Challenge Cup on Thursday night at the MTS Centre, the Saints headed west to take on the Portage Terriers.

Only 1:33 into the game, the MJHL's leading scorer Dan Watt, quieted the Portage faithful with his 44th of the year. However with two minutes left, the Terriers would draw even with one of their own to leave the score tied at one.

With 1:32 gone in the second, Ryan DePape gave the Saints another lead with his 7th. Four minutes later, Watt's second of the night increased the lead to 3-1. A Terrier's goal with 7:28 left brought the home squad within one but J.R. Strait's first of the year a minute later left the score at 4-2 Saints with the third still to come.

The third period saw Portage come out flying and with three goals in the first five minutes, they took a 5-4 lead. DePape's second of the game brought the Saints even with just over half a period left to play. As it's done all year, the line of Chartier-Macaulay-Watt once again pulled this one out of the fire when they connected on Chartier's goal with 5:26 left to give the Saints a 6-5 lead. Despite late pressure from the Terriers, the Saints held on and took the front-end of this week's divisional leaders match-up.

Jan. 3/09
New Year, New Attitude
After a dismal end to the 2008 portion of their schedule, the Saints looked to make amends against the same Blues team.

It couldn't have started much better as they held a two-goal lead after one on goals twenty nine seconds apart by Blair Macaulay and Craig Simchuk.

The second saw the lead extended to three when Dan Watt scored 2:20 in. Tim Hayduk cashed in a rebound with four minutes remaining and Watt's second of the night a minute and a half later gave the Saints a 5-0 lead heading for the third.

Three more goals were tallied by the Saints in the final period. Macaulay's second of the game 3:26 in was followed more than ten minutes later when Blake Chartier beat the shell-shocked Blues goaltender. Dan Hrabowych rounded out the scoring with a minute left to make it an 8-0 thrashing and Brittan Kuhlman with his first shutout in the MJHL.

Dec. 30/08
2008 Goes Out With A Wimper
With the New Year around the corner, the Saints took on the Winnipeg South Blues.

On this night, the Blues proved that the Saints have to play each and every game with equal intensity. A less than inspiring effort by the Saints, a hot Blues tender, and a giveaway that led to a shorthanded goal by Winnipeg South led to a 3-0 lead for the home squad after two periods.

The third period saw the first penalty of the game and while on the man-advantage, the Saints got within two on Blake Chartier's 26th of the season. But that was as close as the Saints would get on this night. An empty net goal with a minute left sealed the deal for the Blues making it a 4-1 final.

Dec. 28/08
Saints Show Holiday Spirit
The Saints and Blues renewed acquaintances in their annual holiday break matchup.

From the start, it looked like both squads were still in holiday mode. The Blues finally opened the scoring midway through the first which seemed to awaken the lifeless Saints. Ryan DePape's goal at the 11:48 mark brought the Saints even and the home team led after one on Dan Watt's league leading 41st of the year.

Craig Simchuk's shorthanded effort early in the second made it 3-1 and following Kyle Jeffery's first of the night two minutes later, the Saints started to pull away from their counterparts from Winnipeg South. A late goal by the Blues made it 4-2 heading for the third.

The Saints opened the third on the powerplay and converted when Scott Macaulay's blast from the point found the top corner to make it 5-2. Jeffery's second of the night at 11:40 extended the Saints lead and with a late Blues goal sandwiched between goals by Brad Olynyk and Blake Chartier, the Saints skated off with an 8-3 victory.

Dec. 21/08
Saints Suffer First Regulation Loss Since Mid-October
A tired Saints squad finished off the pre-Xmas portion of their schedule with a Sunday night game in Dauphin.

The Kings took a 2-0 lead after one with two goals in the final five minutes of the period. In the second, Dan Watt got the Saints to within one with his 40th of the year. Some great corner work by Tim Hayduk led to the Saints second goal when Cole Pruden buried his chance. With 7:49 left in the period, the Kings regained the lead and it remained 3-2 through the rest of the period.

Watt's second powerplay goal of the game brought the Saints once again even but a Dauphin powerplay goal once again gave them the lead. Two more late period man-advantage goals by the Kings made it a 6-3 final.

Dec. 20/08
Saints Stamp Out Swan
After Fridays 9-1 walkover by the Saints, Swan Valley hoped to redeem themselves on Saturday night.

The 2nd half of this back-to-back matchup continued on from the previous nights shenanigans with the penalty boxes filled to capacity by the 2:09 mark when everyone on the ice was sent off. That seemed to settle things down with only two more penalties called but no score after one.

The middle frame saw no scoring until the 13:06 mark when recent addition Dan Hrabowych beat the Swan goaltender and followed that up three minutes later with his second of the evening to leave it at 2-0 with the third period still to come.

Ryan DePape made it 3-0 Saints 7:40 into the third. A single late goal by the Stampeders was all they could muster as the Saints swept the Stampeders in a hard-fought two game series.

Dec. 19/08
Round One Goes To Saints
The Saints started their final "northern" trip on Friday night in Swan River with the first of back-to-back games against the Stampeders.

And the visitors were able to put their powerplay unit to work early and often. With back-to-back goals with the man-advantage by Dan Watt and Ryan DePape, they had a 2-0 lead eight minutes in. Rejean Carriere's goal with 4:14 left made it a three goal advantage after a penalty filled first (with much more to come).

The second was scoreless until the 12:36 mark when the Saints exploded for four goals in three and a half minutes to break the game wide open. Tim Hayduk's goal on the powerplay was followed by a trio of Saints with their second of the night, Carriere, DePape, and Watt. The Stampeders finally hit the scoreboard with 2:41 remaining but that was answered by Jordan DePape in the final minute to leave it at 8-1 after two.

The final 20 continued the escalation of penalties from the first 40 in terms of penalties (1st period - 34 PM, 2nd period - 64, and the 3rd - 84). The only goal of the period was again scored on the powerplay (5 for 12) when Ryan DePape completed his hat trick to make it a 9-1 final.

Dec. 16/08
Chartier's Pair Downs Flyers
The Saints and Winkler Flyers took to the ice for the Saints final home game before the holiday break.

Winkler scored 8:24 in to lead after one period. The second saw the Saints score three straight, the first two by Blake Chartier six minutes apart and the third scored by Trent King on a blast from the point that got by a screened Flyers netminder.

The third period saw Winkler with many opportunities to cut the deficit but Peloquin kept them at bay, preserving the 3-1 victory.

Dec. 14/08
Down Early, Saints Regroup For Big Win Over Steelers
Dakota played host to the two top Addison Division Teams as the Saints took on Selkirk.

On this night, it was the Steelers who came out with a ferocious forecheck, limiting the Saints defencemen and creating their own chances. The visitors opened the scoring three minutes in and extended it to 2-0 before the game was seven minutes old. Rejean Carriere's 22nd of the year brought the Saints to within one as we headed to the second.

Once again, Selkirk opened the scoring 2:12 in to regain their two-goal advantage. Tim Hayduk cut the lead to one with his 6th and followed that with a no-decision scrap on the ensuing faceoff. Shortly afterward, the Steelers drew a five-minute penalty and the Saints took advantage when Blake Chartier notched his first of the night to leave it tied at three after 40 minutes.

As with the first two periods, the third saw both goaltenders make save after save keeping their respective teams in it. Not until Chartier's second of the night at 13:25 did the Saints gain their first lead on Selkirk. With their goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, the Steelers threw everything they had at the Saints but Kuhlman held the fort and with Kyle Jeffery's empty netter, the Saints took this mid-December "playoff atmosphere" game 5-3.

Dec. 13/08
Saints Heat Up For Blizzard
On a frigid December evening, the Saints played host to OCN.

And it didn't take long for the home squad to thaw as Blake Chartier opened the scoringonly :27 in. The lead was extended to 2-0 on the powerplay when Dan Watt converted a Jordan DePape pass. Thirty seconds later it was 3-0 when Ryan DePape, with his first, beat the shellshocked Blizzard tender. Watt's second powerplay marker at 8:16 gave the Saints a four goal lead. Jordan DePape's goal with 2:38 left gave the Saints a 5-0 lead after one period.

The Saints built on their lead early in the second with Watt's 3rd of the game. The Blizzard finally hit the scoreboard, taking advantage on the powerplay, to bring it to 6-1. Cole Pruden answered back :22 later with his 7th of the year. OCN's second of the period with 10:44 remaining made it 7-2 with 20 minutes to play.

The third period saw Jordan DePape complete his "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" with a lively scrap and Watt close out the scoring with four seconds left as the Saints skated off with an 8-2 victory.

Dec. 10/08
Close for 40 Minutes, Saints Storm To Victory in 3rd
The Blades hosted the MJHL's hottest team on Thursday night in Beausejour.

But it was the Blades who came out on fire as they continued their trend of scoring first on the Saints, this time 4:22 in. Two minutes later, Dan Watt drew the Saints even with his 34th of the season and put them up by one with his second with seven minutes left in the period. Rejean Carriere gave the visitors a two-goal lead after 20 minutes when he scored on the powerplay with 1:49 remaining.

The second period saw Beausejour start on the powerplay and capitalize two and a half minutes in. Craig Simchuk's goal a little over a minute after the Blades marker regained the two-goal Saints advantage. Watt's 3rd of the night, this time on the powerplay, made it 5-2 but was followed shortly by a Blades goal. Another goal by the home squad brought the score to 5-4 Saints after two.

Following an inspirational between periods speech by Coach Stokes, the Saints looked like a completely different team in the third. Simchuk's short-handed effort :42 in led the way to six unanswered goals by the Saints. Jordan DePape and Cole Pruden scored a minute and a half apart to make it 8-4 before the period was seven minutes old. Simchuk completed his hat-trick 12:24 in and with Watt's 4th of the game, the Saints had hit double-digits. Derek Buors rounded out the scoring with a minute and a half left with his 4th to make it an 11-4 final.

Dec. 7/08
Kuhlman Steals Victory Over Selkirk
On a blustery night in southern Manitoba, the Saints headed north on #9 to Selkirk to face-off against the Steelers.

Blair Macaulay silenced the Selkirk faithful early on when he undressed the Steeler defenceman and goaltender and gave the Saints an early lead :24 in. Craig Simchuk made it 2-0 with a short-handed goal with 10:48 left. The Steelers got that goal back on the same advantage and the teams headed to the dressing room with the Saints ahead 2-1.

Dan Hrabowych scored his first as a Saint on a giveaway in the Steelers end to make it 3-1 with just under four minutes gone. The score would stay that way until late in the period when Selkirk capitalized with two powerplay goals to tie the game at three apiece after 40 minutes.

It didn't take long for the Saints to regain the lead in the third when Carriere scored his 20th of the year 1:12 in on a nice setup from Jordan DePape. The Steelers had their chances the rest of the game, but with Kuhlman holding strong, Derek Buors keeping the Steelers honest with a trio of big hits, and the rest of the defence taking care of business, the visitors returned home with a hard fought 4-3 victory.

Dec. 6/08
Macaulay Leads Way
Playing their first game in a week, and with all their recent additions in the lineup, the Saints hosted Waywayseecappo.

After one period, the Saints led 1-0 on a Blair Macaulay goal midway through the period.

The second was a goaltenders nightmare with a combined seven goals scored. The Wolverines tied it up 1:36 in and went ahead 2-1 just over four minutes in. Kyle Jeffery brought the Saints even eight minutes in but that was short-lived when Waywayseecappo took their final lead of the game. It only took :21 for the Saints to pull even with Macaulay's second of the game. Tim Hayduk made it 4-3 at 11:27 and the Saints never looked back. Macaulay completed his hat trick on the powerplay with 3:42 remaining to leave it at 5-3 Saints after two.

In the third, Blake Chartier extended the lead to three when he scored 7:21 in. On the powerplay, Craig Simchuk rounded out the scoring with 10:46 left to make it 7-3 and give Brittan Kuhlman his first MJHL victory.

Nov. 28/08
Dyrkis Goal Lifts Saints Over Flyers
The Flyers hosted the Saints on the backend of a home-and-home series Friday night in Winkler.

It didn't take long for the visitors to hit the scoreboard when Blair Macaulay scored on a breakaway :31 into the game. That lead was short-lived when the Flyers evened it up shortly after. Chris Dyrkis regained the lead for the Saints on a play that shocked everyone. Seeing that the play was not blown down, he fired the puck down the ice past the stunned Winkler goaltender and into the Flyer net. With 4:21 left in the period, Dan Watt converted to make it 3-1 after the first period.

The second period saw the Saints fire all they could at the Winkler goaltender but unable to beat him. The lone goal of the second was a shorthanded effort by the Flyers to make it a one-goal game with 20 minutes to play.

The Saints were able to once again hit the back of the net early in the third. Jory Geddes made it 4-2 4:12 in and was followed up three and a half minutes later with Watt's second of the game. A late powerplay goal by the Flyers with 2:06 remaining would leave the final score at 5-3 in favour of the Saints, giving them no regulation losses in the month of November.

Nov. 26/08
Top Line Downs Flyers
Hosting divisional rival Winkler Flyers at another neutral site, this time River East Arena, the Saints hoped to increase their 1st place lead in the Addison.

A Flyers goal five minutes in gave them a short-lived lead as Brad Olynyk tied it up :19 later. A little over three minutes later, Winkler went ahead again until Blair Macaulay converted on a breakaway to leave it knotted at two after one period.

The goals came early and often in the second. Dan Watt's goal 1:15 in gave the Saints their first lead of the game and that was extended to 4-2 when Dan Kelsey beat the Winkler netminder two minutes later. A Flyer goal that brought them within one was answered when Jordan DePape stole the puck from the Flyer defenceman and put it home to give the Saints a 5-3 lead.

Another early marker by the Saints, this time off the stick of Blake Chartier :46 into the third made it 6-3. Winkler again fought back and made it a two-goal game five and a half minutes in. Watt's second of the night with 3:42 left sealed the victory and the Saints skated home with a 7-4 victory.

Nov 20, 2008
Saints Sharp Against Blades
Heading to Beausejour for a Thursday night game, the Saints looked to go 5 and 0 over the Blades.

The Saints had their backs against the wall early killing off a penalty but scored :20 after the penalty ended with Kyle Jeffery's 8th of the year. That was followed by Craig Simchuk's 16th two and a half minutes later. Blair Macaulay rounded out the first period scoring with under four minutes left to make it 3-0 after one.

The second saw the Saints on an early powerplay which they capitalized on with Macaulay's second of the night. Beauswjour fought back a minute later with one of their own to make it 4-1. Dan Watt regained the Saints four-goal advantage when he scored his 24th with 6:54 to go. Dan Kelsey's 6th with two and a half minutes remaining made it 6-1.

The final twenty minutes saw the Saints once again score three times. Watt with his second of the night, Jesse Goertzen with his 3rd of the year, and rookie Jordan DePape's 15th with 7:20 left made it a 9-1 final.

Nov 17, 2008
Tip A Saint Night A Resounding Success
The Saints, Boston Pizza, and the Kidney Foundation teamed up on Monday night for the First "Tip A Saint" Night at Boston Pizza.

Following a morning appearance on CityTV's breakfast television by captain Trent King, Blair Macaulay, and GM Wayne Anderson, the team took on the task of serving at Boston Pizza.

The boys fit right in, delivering food and drink to the tables, drumming up support for the Kidney Foundation selling tickets on the Loonie Stick, auction prizes, and donations.

Nov 16, 2008
Peloquin Forges Shutout Over Steelers
An Addison Division battle between the 1st place Saints and 2nd place Selkirk Steelers highlighted the Sunday night MJHL schedule.

Christian Peloquin started in net for the Saints and was tested early. When the Saints were finally able to take their turn, they didn't waste any shots, scoring on their 1st four. Back from injury, Jory Geddes opened the scoring 7:18 in. A little over a minute later, Blair Macaulay made it 2-0 and was followed shortly after by a Jordan DePape marker. The Saints led 4-0 after one when Blake Chartier scored with 8:27 left.

It took over a period before another goal would be scored. Jesse Goertzen would find the back of the net with 4:33 remaining in the second. With few penalties called, powerplays were at a premium. The Saints took advantage of a call against Selkirk with Macaulay's second off the game and closed out the second period comfortably ahead 6-0.

All that was really left was for the team to bear down and secure the shutout. It was mission accomplished as Peloquin finished the game with 25 saves and his first Junior "A" shutout.

Nov 14, 2008
Down Early, Saints Mount Comeback at Southdale
Southdale Arena was the venue when Beausejour came calling on Friday night.

The Blades looked like they were there to play as midway through the opening period, they opened up a two-goal lead. This resulted in a goaltending change for the Saints as Peloquin replaced Dreger. This change (and a few select words of encouragement from the coaching staff) woke the team up. Rejean Carriere got the Saints within one and was followed a minute and a half later by Blake Chartier to tie it up. The Saints led after the 1st period on Jordan DePape's goal with 2:09 left.

Opening the second period on the powerplay, the Saints capitalized when Craig Simchuk scored 1:18 in. Dan Watt's goal midway through made it 5-2 and Chartier's 2nd of the night started to put the game out of reach for the visitors. A Blades goal with just less than four minutes remaining would make the final 20 minutes interesting.

Fighting through two Blades defenders, Blair Macaulay opened the third period scoring with a short-handed marker to put the Saints up 7-3. Kyle Jeffery's goal with 2:12 left completed the comeback from an early two-goal deficit and an 8-3 Saints victory.

Nov 13, 2008
DePape To Spend New Years In B.C.
Christmas came early for Saints forward Jordan DePape and two other MJHL players today when they were named to Team West in the 2009 Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Alberni Valley, BC. DePape currently leads all MJHL rookies in scoring with 12 goals and 28 points in 23 games.

“This tournament will be an invaluable experience for these players,” says MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis. “This is another opportunity for our young players to showcase their talents and show the high level of player which competes in the MJHL.” “The MJHL continues to produce and develop top players. This is evident in the number of scholarships awarded over the years to MJHL players.”

A total of 40 players from Saskatchewan and Manitoba attended a three-day evaluation camp in Brandon last June. The tournament runs from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, 2009.

Earlier this month, Saints forward Tim Hayduk was a member of Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge staged in Camrose, AB. Canada West lost to Team US in the gold-medal game.

Nov 11, 2008
Yellowhead Shoot-out
With an afternoon encounter on Remembrance Day, the Saints and their fans headed up the Yellowhead to Neepawa.

And it was the Saints who took the early lead when Blake Chartier beat the Natives netminder 2:09 in. It was Neepawa that had the lead after one period. With just under seven minutes gone, they tied it up and went ahead with a powerplay goal with four minutes left.

Neepawa extended their lead to 3-1 early in the second. Late in the period, the Saints fought back and tied it up on goals a minute apart by Cole Pruden and Rejean Carriere.

The third period saw the visitors take a lead 8:31 in on a goal by Dan Watt. The lead was short-lived as the Natives scored two minutes later. The rest of the period was scoreless and the teams headed to overtime. With nothing settled in OT, another Saints/Natives shoot-out was needed.

It looked good early on as Pruden scored on the first Saints shot. Things turned south on a DePape miss and the first two Neepawa shooters beat Peloquin high, leaving the outcome in the hands of Massicotte. When he was stopped, a disappointed Saints team headed home, but with a hard-fought, come from behind, road point.

Nov 9, 2008
Another Sunday Night With The Blues
For the second straight Sunday in November, the Saints hosted the Blues.

Following an uneventful first half of the game that only saw two penalties called, the Saints finally were able to beat the Blues goaltender with 6:30 left in the second when Craig Simchuk scored his 1st of the evening. Blake Chartier followed that up a minute later with his 13th of the year. Simchuk made it 3-0 for the Saints when he got his 2nd of the night and 14th of the year two minutes later. The Blues finally beat Jordan Dreger with just under two minutes left in the period to make it 3-1.

The third period saw Rejean Carriere score his 17th of the year early on. Jordan DePape's 13th made it a 5-1 final as the Saints held onto their six point lead over the Selkirk Steelers in the Addison Division.

Nov 8, 2008
Saints Hold On To Get Back In Win Column
The slumping Waywayseecappo Wolverines payed a visit to Dakota Saturday night to take on the Saints.

Kyle Jeffery opened the scoring 2:17 in for the Saints. On the powerplay, the Wolverines tied it up three and a half minutes later. On a powerplay of their own shortly after, the Saints regained the lead when Stephane Massicotte found the back of the net. Dan Watt continued his torrid early season scoring when he scored with just over six minutes remaining to give the Saints a two goal lead and chase the Wolverines starter. Rookie sensation Jordan DePape made it 4-1 but a Waywayseecappo goal a minute later left it at 4-2 after the 1st period.

Jeffery once again opened the scoring, this time shorthanded, fourteen seconds into the middle frame. It would take the rest of the period until another goal was scored, this time by Cole Pruden with less than two minutes left, to gove the Saints a comfortable 6-2 lead.

But you should never get too comfortable with any lead. After the Wolverines scored four minutes into the third and with another on a giveaway in the Saints end at 8:35, this game was not over. The visitors continued to pressure and hoped that pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker in the final minute could pull them even. The Saints held off the Wolverines and escaped with a 6-4 victory.

Nov 5, 2008
Shootout Unkind To Saints
Roland Michener was home to the Saints on Tuesday as they took on the Winkler Flyers.

It was the Flyers who looked like they were playing at home in the first period as they took a 2-0 lead into the second.

The middle frame saw the Saints turn it around. Dan Kelsey scored just under two minutes in followed by Dan Watt with his 19th of the year at the 4:36 mark. Craig Simchuk gave the Saints their first lead of the night with 6:06 left when he converted a pass from Kyle Jeffery. A late powerplay goal by the Flyers left the score knotted at 3 with one period to play.

A 5-on-3 advantage for the Flyers turned into another powerplay goal for the visitors as they took an early third period lead. The Saints fought back and tied the game again, this time on a goal by Derek Whitehill. When Watt scored his second of his night with 2:02 remaining, Saints fans thought another victory was in hand. However, a late penalty and subsequent Winkler powerplay goal with :28 left made it five all and the teams headed to overtime.

With neither team scoring in overtime, a shootout was on tap. When the first two Flyer shooters beat Peloquin, the Saints needed goals from their final two shooters for any chance of continuing. After Dan Kelsey scored on his chance and Christian Peloquin stopped the final Winkler shooter, it was up to Rejean Carriere to even it up and extend the shootout. As fate would have it on this night, his shot was stopped by the Flyer tender giving Winkler the 6-5 shootout win.

Nov 2, 2008
Peloquin Stands Tall Over Blues
Another important Addison matchup had the Saints hosting the Blues.

MJHL Rookie of the Month Jordan DePape opened the scoring 7:42 in on a setup from fellow rookie Cole Pruden. Ten minutes later, the Saints second goal also came off the stick of a rookie, this time defenceman Jordan Davies on the powerplay to make it 2-0 after one.

The second saw the teams answer each others goals VERY quickly. After the Blues pulled within one at the 4:28 mark, the Saints scored eight seconds after when the MJHL's Player of the Month, Dan Watt regained the two goal advantage. The Saints pulled ahead by three when Blake Chartier converted a pretty pass from Kyle Jeffery to make it 4-1. However, a miscue by the Saints led to a last second goal for the Blues and a 4-2 game after two periods.

The third period seemed to be left to the goaltenders as both made spectacular save after save. Whether facing countless 2 on 1's or breakaways, both Christian Peloquin and his Blues counterpart, ex-Saint Eric Potvin, stood on their heads and deservedly were named the games first two stars. Neither team could get one past as the final score remained at 4-2.

Oct 28, 2008
Double Digits at Century
Looking to move into third in the Addison, the Blues played host to the Saints, who were looking to increase their lead in first.

The first period saw Winnipeg South give the Saints three opportunities on the powerplay. The visitors finally took advantage when Jory Geddes scored his 8th of the year with 6:09 left.

It took until midway through the second period before another goal would be scored, and it would be the Blues this time. At this point, the floodgates opened for the Saints. Craig Simchuk, Blair Macaulay, and Jordan Davies would all score in a span of a minute and a half to chase the Blues tender and make it 4-1. Later, Stephane Massicotte's second of the year would make it 5-1 after two.

Jordan Depape's goal 4:01 into the third increased the lead and was followed four minutes later by Macaulay's second of the night. MJHL point leader Dan Watt made it 8-1 before Depape notched his second. Macaulay completed his hat trick with just under five minutes remaining. The Blues finally answered the eight straight Saints goals with one of their own to make it a 10-2 final.

Oct 26, 2008
Saints Special Teams Dominate North
Their only visit to OCN this season gave the Saints a chance to sweep their 1st northern trip.

As with Saturday's game, powerplays were numerous and often. Jordan DePape opened the scoring with his sixth of the season. Jory Geddes extended the lead to 2-0 before the Blizzard would narrow the lead with a goal of their own. Craig Simchuk completed the first period scoring with a powerplay goal in the final minute to make it 3-1 Saints.

With just under two minutes gone in the second, OCN would get back to within one with a powerplay goal of their own. The Saints regained their two goal lead when Dan Watt added another powerplay marker. Never a team to give up, OCN made it 4-3 with 2:37 left to leave it at 4-3 after two.

The third saw a mix of everything, a couple of goals, plenty of penalties (114 minutes), and even the Annual Saints/OCN Goalie Scrap. After Tim Hayduk made it 5-3 with a shorthanded goal, it was another 10 minutes before another goal would be scored, this time by the Blizzard to make it 5-4. That's when the festivities began, starting with the Saints netminder Jordan Dreger and his OCN counterpart meeting at centre ice to catch up on old times...and throw a few punches. Christian Peloquin entered the game at that point and earned the save as the Saints swept through the north with a 5-4 hard fought victory. Through the weekend, the Saints powerplay went 7 for 28 while their penalty kill only surrendered one goal in 22 opponent chances.

Oct 25, 2008
Macaulay Thaws Blizzard in OT
Changing things up a bit this year, the Saints played the first of back-to-back games against the Blizzard.

Both teams had their chances in the 1st with seven total powerplay but the game remained scoreless after one.

The second again saw numerous powerplay opportunities for both teams with 12 minors called. Somehow, OCN squeezed an even strength goal between the penalties to lead 1-0 after 40 minutes.

Two minutes into the third, the Blizzard extended their lead to 2-0. It only took forty seconds after that for the Saints to hit the scoreboard when Rejean Carriere made it 2-1. Things didn't look good when the Saints were shorthanded with under three minutes left. On this night, the Saints were finally able to score a shorthanded goal of their own, by Craig Simchuk, to tie the game at two and head for overtime.

Playing with a man advantage to start OT, the Saints were rewarded when recent addition Blair Macaulay beat the Blizzard goalie and gave the visitors a 3-2 win.

Oct 21, 2008
First Period Kennels Terriers
Last years league finalists renewed acquaintances when the Saints hosted the Portage Terriers on Tuesday night.

Dakota seemed tilted in the Saints favour from the start as they buzzed the Terriers net. Their tenacity payed off 2:14 in when Jory Geddes opened the scoring followed a minute and a half later by Craig Simchuk and a thrid goal :45 later when Blair Macaulay scored his first on return from the WHL. That chased the Terrier netminder but did not slow the Saints as Dan Watt scored a pair to leave the score at 5-0 after one.

The Terriers took advantage on the powerplay in the second with two goals to make it 5-2 with 20 minutes to play.

Six and a half minutes into the third, the visitors would get within two. The Saints would take advantage on their own powerplay when Scott Macaulay, not to be outdone by his older brother, regained the Saints three goal advantage. Simchuk would blast home his second of the game to make it 7-3. Portage scored shortly afterwards but the combination of Rejean Carriere's powerplay goal and a five minute penalty to the Terriers would hamper any chance of a Terriers comeback, making it an 8-4 final.

Oct 18, 2008
Wolverines Take Bite Out of Saints
On Saturday night, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines played host to the Saints.

The game started off with a bang when Saints captain Trent King and the Wolverines Ian Clarke dropped their gloves at the opening faceoff. Wayway scored the only goal of the opening period with five and a half minutes left to lead 1-0.

It took a late second period goal by Jory Geddes to draw the Saints even. That was shortlived as the Wolverines went ahead to stay with :11 left.

The late goals by the host team, one with the Saints net empty, made it a 4-1 final with a long ride home on a Saturday night.

Oct 14, 2008
Shootout Goes To Neepawa
Finishing a four games in six day stretch, the Saints looked to get past Neepawa for a well-deserved break.

When Blake Chartier opened the scoring midway through the opening period, things were looking up. However, the Natives followed up with one of their own under a minute later to leave it tied at one after one.

The second period saw both teams score often. Neepawa took the lead on a short-handed effort less than one minute in. Jordan DePape tied it at two before the Natives would once again pull ahead. Chartier's second of the night would once again pull the Saints even. Neepawa didn't give up as they scored with :17 left to make it 4-3 after two periods.

The Saints threw everything they could at Neepawa in the third, outshooting them 16-3 but only Cole Pruden's goal would make it four all and we headed to overtime.

Overtime solved nothing, even with numerous scoring chances by the Saints so it was onto the dreaded shootout. After the first seven shooters couldn't get one by either goalie, it was left up to Neepawa'a 4th shooter. And he did just that, beating Peloquin to give the Natives a 5-4 shootout victory.

Oct 12, 2008
Thanksgiving Game Starts Off As Turkey But Ends In A Rout
Playing their third game in four nights, the Saints took on the Beausejour Blades Sunday night at Dakota.

Early on it looked as though the team was thinking of a turkey dinner as the Blades took the lead 10:36 in. Cole Pruden's goal with 4:47 remaining in the first left it ties at one after one.

Beausejour regained the lead :11 into the second but that only seemed to kickstart the Saints and they never looked back. Before the period was two minutes old, Jordan Davies tied it up once again. Rejean Carriere and Kyle Jeffery scored a couple of minutes apart to give the Saints a two goal lead while Craig Simchuk's midway through made it 5-2. Dan Kelsey's goal at 16:18 was followed shortly by a Blades short-handed effort, the 6th short-handed goal the Saints have given up this year. Dan Watt rounded out the second period scoring leaving it at 7-3 with the 3rd still to come.

The third saw three Saints players (Watt, Carriere, and Jeffery) each reach two goals for the night. The highlight goal for all was the long awaited first of the season for Tyler "Rudy" Routledge three minutes in.

Oct 10, 2008
Team Effort Downs Wayway
Finishing off their Showcase Weekend, the Saints were the visitors in their home rink as they took on Waywayseecappo.

The change to the visitors side didn't seem to bother the boys (except the odd time when they headed to the wrong bench for a line change). Jordan Davies opened the scoring with his first of the year 3:42 in. Tim Hayduk concluded the scoring in a penalty free opening period with under five minutes left.

On a breakaway pass from Cole Pruden, Dan Watt continued his early season points streak beating the Wolverines goaltender in close. Late in the second, Davies notched his second of the night to give the Saints a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes.

All that was left was for the Saints to hold off the Wolverines in the final period to give Christian Peloquin his first Junior A shutout. Everything was looking fine until a mixup on a late two-man advantage led to the Waywayseecappo captain breaking in alone and beating Peloquin to make it a 4-1 final.

Oct 9, 2008
King Crowns Natives
The Saints hosted the Neepawa Natives to open up this year's edition of the MJHL's Showcase Weekend.

And it was Neepawa taking an early lead with a goal 4:10 in. Watt slid in his 9th of the season before the Natives would round out the 1st period scoring to give themselves a 2-1 lead.

As in the first period, the Saints continued to pepper Neepawa's goalie and goals :26 apart by Carriere and Buors gave the Saints a one goal advantage. Neepawa seized an opportunity on the powerplay and tied it up 12:18 in but King's first of the year (at least he didn't wait until the final game like last year) gave the Saints a 4-3 lead heading for the third.

Both teams would have their chances in the final period but when Neepawa scored with less than five minutes remaining, overtime loomed. King took care of that with a backhand Savardian spinarama that somehow got through to make it 5-4 Saints. Even with a late powerplay opportunity and the goalie pulled, the Natives had trouble mounting any pressure and the Saints held on for the victory in the Showcase opener.

Oct 7, 2008
Saints Prep For Showcase With Win Over Flyers
Looking to rebound from weekend losses to Selkirk, the Saints traveled to Winkler on Tuesday for their final game before the MJHL's Showcase Weekend.

Making his first start of the season, goaltender Billy Pigden held the Flyers in check as his teammates gave him an early lead to work with. Geddes powerplay goal 3:44 in made it 1-0 and Watt's first of the night gave the Saints a 2-0 lead after one.

Early in the middle period, Winkler got to within one. Watt regained the Saints two-goal advantage a short time later only to see the Flyers once again inch closer. But it was a pair of goals ten seconds apart by DePape and Pruden (his first of the year) that gave the Saints a lead they wouldn't surrender.

Watt completed his hat trick :32 into the third before the Flyers would fight back with two of their own to make it 6-4. With their goaltender pulled and on a powerplay. Winkler hoped to draw even in the final minute until Carriere's empty netter sealed a 7-4 victory for the Saints and Pigden.

Oct 5, 2008
Home and Home Against Steelers Tough On Saints
Friday night in Selkirk, and than Saturday at Dakota, the Saints had a chance to get back the games they handed the Steelers two weeks ago.

But Friday night, it was a lacklustre effort as the Saints were down 1-0 after one and 4-0 five minutes into the second. Macaulay's powerplay goal midway through the period finally got the Saints on the board but a Steelers shorthanded goal with five minutes left made it a four goal game. Selkirk increased their lead at 2:36 of the third. The Saints powerplay connected again, this time by Whitehill, to make it 6-2. With just over four minutes left, Hayduk scored but the Steelers added another under a minute later to make it a 7-3 Selkirk win.

Hoping to save some face back at home on Saturday, the Saints led after one on Chartier's goal. However, five unanswered goals by the Steelers before DePape's goal with :40 remaining in the game would leave the Saints on the short end of a 5-2 game as their early season struggles against the Steelers continued.

Sept 30, 2008
No Power Outage For Saints As They Double Up Flyers
After Sunday's walk through the Blades, the Saints knew that Tuesday's game against the Flyers was going to be much tougher.

Following a pre-game power outage that left the scoreboard unusable, out came the stopwatches and it was time for some old-time hockey. The first period saw both teams with numerous chances but it took over 18 minutes before someone would put up the 1st goal. DePape continued his transition to Junior "A" scoring his 3rd goal in the last two games to give the Saints a 1-0 lead after one.

The second saw a more intense period with numerous penalties. Midway through, Macaulay extended the Saints lead to 2-0. The Flyers were finally able to solve Dreger when they scored with just over five minutes left and the Saints led 2-1 after 40 minutes.

On the powerplay to start the third, Winkler capuitalized to even the game at two. But it was the Saints special teams that would take control soon after when both Watt and Geddes would score with the man-advantage to make it a 4-2 final in favour of the visiting Saints.

Sept 28, 2008
Saints Sharp Against Blades
Hoping to end a three game losing streak, the Saints headed to Beausejour to take on the Blades Sunday night.

It didn't take the visitors long to hit the scoreboard as Carriere started the evening off five and a half minutes in. Watt followed that up midway through the period to give the Saints a two-goal lead. McCarthy's goal thirty seconds later and Whitehill's a minute later increased the advantage to 4-0. Carriere completed the first period scoring with his second of the night.

Ahead 5-0, the Saints kept the pressure on in the second but it was the Blades who got one back just over five minutes in to reduce the Saints lead to 5-1. That seemed to kick the Saints into gear as they reeled off four straight with Kelsey and Massicotte getting singles and Watt netting two more for the hat trick. Beausjour once again came back and scored two more to make the score 9-3 after two.

In the third, DePape scored his first MJHL goal at 4:17. Not to be outdone, Carriere completed his hat trick just over a minute later. The Saints were able to keep the Blades off the scoreboard in the third and with additional goals by Chartier and DePape (with his second), the visitors waltzed out of Beausejour with a 13-3 victory

Sept 23, 2008
Sloppy Play Leads to Loss at Blues
The Blues took advantage of the Saints sloppy play to sneak out a 2-1 victory at Century on Tuesday night.

Following two periods where both teams were stymied by the opposition goalies, the game was on the line in the third. It was the Blues to draw first blood after a poor clearing attempt (and a close call at the blueline) as they beat Dreger to take a 1-0 lead. A second Winnipeg South goal on what looked like a harmless shot, left the Saints down 2-0. With Dreger pulled for the extra attacker, the Saints buzzed around the Blues net and had numerous scoring chances. Finally, with under 30 seconds to play, Buors put away his 1st of the year to make it a one goal game. The pressure continued and the visitors almost tied it up but were once again turned aside by a hot Blues goaltender and ended up on the losing end of a 2-1 game.

Sept 21, 2008
Weekend Update
The Saints got their first look at divisional rival Selkirk Steelers this past weekend.

On Friday in Steeltown, the Saints held onto a 2-1 first period lead on goals by Carriere and Geddes while Dreger withstood the onslaught of 16 Selkirk shots.

The Steelers barrage continued in he second as they fired 19 towards the Saints net, this time with a little more success. Outscoring the Saints 3-2, the game was tied at four heading for the 3rd period. For the Saints, Carriere's second of the night and Kelsey were the goalscorers.

Dreger could only hold off Selkirk for so long. An early goal gave the Steelers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. They held the Saints to only eight shots while directing another 18 at the Saints netminder. Two more goals, one on the powerplay and one shorthanded, sealed the victory and handed the Saints their 1st loss of the year.

Saturday night saw the Saints host the Steelers with hopes of redeeming themselves following a dismal showing on Friday night. But the Steelers put the Saints in a hole early with three goals in the first 10 minutes of the opening period. Late in the second, a giveaway led to the 4th Steeler goal before Chartier finally put the Saints on the board with just over three minutes remaining in the period.

Jeffery's goal nine minutes into the third got the home squad within two goals but that was as close as the boys would get. A shorthanded goal by Selkirk with less than five minutes left put the game away and the Steelers swept the weekend series with a 5-2 win.

Sept 16, 2008
Blowout in Beausejour
The Saints traveled to Beausejour on Tuesday night for their first of many encounters with their Addison Division counterparts.

And it was the visitors who took it to the hometown Blades from the get go. Once Jeffery scored on the powerplay six minutes in, the floodgates opened. Olynyk's goal at 7:41 was followed two minutes later with Kirkpatrick's first of the night. Macaulay's goal with just under two minutes left made it 4-0 and chased the Blades starting goaltender from the game. Geddes completed the 1st period scoring in the final minute.

Beausejour continued their procession to the penalty box and the Saints capitalized four minutes into the second when Chartier made it 6-0. He made it 7-0, again on the powerplay at the 11:40 mark of the period. The Saints scored their third straight powerplay goal, this time by McCarthy. After Kelsey's and Kirkpatrick's goals made the Saints lead double digits, the Blades finally hit the scoreboard and broke Peloquins shutout bid with 3:27 remaining in the second period.

In the third, Chartier completed his hat trick with just under five minutes gone. Other than a few gloves being dropped and pleasantries exchanged, the Blades completed the scoring for the evening with 2:11 remaining to make it an 11-2 final with Christian Peloquin picking up his first MJHL victory.

Sept 13, 2008
Simchuk Makes It Look Easy
Following their season opening victory against a tough OCN squad, it wasn't going to get any easier as the Dauphin Kings paid a visit on Saturday night.

The 1st period scoring barrage started 2:09 in when the visitors took the lead courtesy of a Saints giveaway. The Saints regrouped and Watt scored :20 later to even it up. Simchuk scored his first of the evening six minutes in to give the Saints a lead they'd never relinquish. His second of the game with just under five minutes on the clock made it 3-1. Another giveaway led to the second Kings goal but once again the Saints responded when Carriere scored shortly after to regain their two goal lead. Dauphin was handed another goal with less than a minute remaining but Macaulay's goal with :14 left made it a two-goal game at 5-3 after the first period.

Simchuk completed his hat trick early in the second on the powerplay and followed that up with his 4th midway through the period. The Kings rounded out the second period scoring with shorthanded and powerplay goals to make it 7-5 heading to the 3rd.

Both teams had numerous chances in the 3rd but both goalies stood their ground, keeping the shooters at bay. Dauphin pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in the final minute but to no avail as the Saints took it 7-5, starting the season at 2-0.

Sept 12, 2008
Saints Looking to Repeat
The Saints opened defence of their Addison Division title on Friday as they hosted the OCN Blizzard.

The visitors opened the scoring just over 12 minutes in when they beat Dreger. The Saints goaltender was injured shortly after and replaced by Brett Gagnon. The extended break saw the Saints regroup and tie the game when Goertzen notched a powerplay marker and than take the lead with Carriere's goal :27 later.

It took over six minutes into the second before Gagnon would give up his first MJHL goal. Midway through the period, OCN would regain the lead at 3-2. Rookie Brad Olynyk would score his first MJHL goal with six minutes left to even the game at three. Once again on the powerplay, OCN would take a two period lead of 4-3. As far as the fights went, Hayduk had very little problem with Hebert and Bear may want to think twice the next time he starts a fight with Buors.

The Saints came out flying in the third and tied up this back and forth battle when Simchuk scored his first of the year. Giving the Saints their first lead since the first period, Dyrkis made it 5-4 just under nine minutes in. The home squad tightened up for the remainder of the period and when Kirkpatrick's long shot finally made it into the Blizzard's empty net, it secured Gagnon his first MJHL win and the Saints their first of many wins to come this year.

Following last season's impressive 31 goals and 87 point season, forward Reave MacKinnon has accepted a scholarship from Saint Michael's College in Burlington Vermont.

Saint Michael's is an NCAA Divison II school that plays in the East Coast Athletic Conference.

Reave follows linemate Matt Gingera who will be attending Sacred Heart University in nearby Fairfield Connecticut. This continues the recent trend of Saints players who have moved on and continued their hockey and academic careers with college scholarships (Zack McMillan-Acadia University(CIAU), Jason Yuel-Curry College, Jordan Pietrus-Brown, and Mark Magnowski-Princeton).

The Saints wish Reave all the best at Saint Michael's as he works hard toward his future.

The Saints opened the pre-season portion of the MJHL's 2008/09 season with a last second 3-2 win against the Winnipeg South Blues on Tuesday. The two teams faced off again on Thursday at Century with the Saints shutting out the crosstown rivals 6-0.

The Saints final home exhibition game is on Wednesday, September 3rd when the Selkirk Steelers visit the Saints at Dakota.

Two away games will round out the Saints pre-season schedule when they travel to face the Blues on Friday, September 5th and to Selkirk on September 7th for a Sunday matinee.

The season opens on Friday, September 12th when the Saints play host to the OCN Blizzard. Gametime is 7:30.

July 17, 2008
Daryl "Rosie" Steen
1939 - 2008

The Saints organization lost a valuable longtime supporter when Daryl "Rosie" Steen passed away after a lengthy illness on July 2, 2008.

Daryl's tenure with the Saints started in 1969 as trainer and therapist. His involvement with the team continued over the years until the past season when he could always be seen (and heard) giving his opinion on the most recent game.

Thanks to all the current and former players that attended his memorial on July 5. He always cared and kept track of where "his" former players were and how well they had done for themselves.

For the full obituary, please click here.

Tuesday June 4th saw 100 golfers tee it up at Transcona Golf Club for the 5th Annual Saints Golf Tournament.

The weather turned out much nicer than last year's monsoon at South Interlake. With current and former Saints in attendance, a great time was had by everyone, especially the Sturgeon Construction team who won on a countback with a score of -11.

Thanks to all who attended as well as everyone who helped with prizes, the Saints appreciate your assistance.

The Saints are happy to announce that they Dakota will continue to be their home rink through the 2008/09 season.

Since moving to Dakota, the rink has provided the Saints with a great atmosphere for fans and players alike. The 2008/09 season looks to be as good, if not better, than the 2007/08 season as the Saints look to defend their Addison Division Championship and take the next step, the MJHL Championship.

May 08, 2008
Gingera Commits to Sacred Heart

The Saints are excited to announce that graduating forward Matt Gingera has accepted a scholarship to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT for next season. Sacred Heart plays in the Atlantic Hockey conference of the NCAA Division I.

Gingera, 20, led the MJHL in goals last season with 66 and leaves the Saints after a three-year career saw him establish a new team record for goals in a career with 149. He led the Saints in scoring last season with 111 points. Gingera also was the top scorer during the MJHL playoffs with 17 goals and 28 points in 15 games.

As for the other accolades the Winnipeg product received, he was the Sher-Wood Hockey Player of the Month three times (December, February and March) and the Old Dutch Player of the Week three times. He was selected as an MJHL First Team All-Star and was a member of the Addison Division at the 2008 MJHL All-Star Weekend.

Gingera will join MJHL alumni Stefan Drew (G - Portage Terriers) and Dave Grimson (D - Swan Valley Stampeders) on the Pioneers roster next season.