The Winnipeg Saints

The Saints had been here before…on the road…down 2-0 in a series…win or be down to their last chance.

But this time it was the powerful Steelers, not the Blues. The Saints played well enough to win both of the first two games of the series but just fell short in both. The teams stayed close Tuesday night until the Steelers scored two quick goals late in the first to lead 2-0 after one.

The Steelers powerplay came to life again as the notched their second of the evening three minutes in. A late goal by Gingera made it 3-1 after two.

In the third, Selkirk extended their lead with three unanswered before a powerplay goal by McMillan made it a 6-2 final.

Game four is Thursday night at Roland Michener Arena.

Also, congratulations to the Saints as even though they did not reach the top 15 CJAHL rankings this week, they did receive honourable mention for the first time this season.

A familiar face will be returning to the MJHL to become the Head Coach of the Winnipeg Saints. The Saints are pleased to announce that Doug Stokes will be taking over behind the Saints bench.

Stokes’ success in the MJHL is well known, having success with both the Winnipeg South Blues and the Selkirk Steelers. Two years ago, Stokes took over the reins of the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers and when his contract ran out after the 2006/07 season, he decided to head back to Winnipeg.

After game one, the Saints knew they could match up with the Steelers.

That is as long as it remained 5 on 5. On Sunday night, penalty trouble once again cost the Saints as Selkirk scored four powerplay goals and left Dakota with a 7-5 victory in front of a great crowd of 617.

The Saints took a 3-1 lead into the dressing room after one on goals by McMillan, Jordan Mistelbacher and Buors (on the powerplay). But the second period was all Selkirk and their special teams as they scored three powerplay goals and a shorthanded marker to make it 5-3 after two.

The third saw Leclair pull the Saints back within one only :29 in but anothert Steeler powerplay goal regained the two goal advantage for Selkirk. Another Steeler goal :19 later made it 7-4 and seemed to let the wind out of the Saints, and their fans, sails. Simchuk’s 1st of the post-season made it 7-5 but that’s as close as the Saints could get as they head to Selkirk on Tuesday to win one on the road. A pleasant surprise of the third was Jordan Mistelbacher’s TKO of Selkirk’s Perdonic midway through the period.

The Winnipeg Saints of the MJHL are pleased to announce that last year’s team captain Zack McMillan will be taking the next step in his hockey career with the Acadia Axemen of the CIS.

In his final year of junior hockey with the Saints, he totaled 16 goals and 37 assists in 52 games. His leadership continued into the playoffs as he was instrumental in the first round upset of the defending MJHL champion Winnipeg South Blues.

The Saints would like to congratulate Zack on this opportunity and wish him the best as an Acadia Axeman.

Due to scheduling conflicts with Dakota, game four of the Addison Division Finals against the Selkirk Steelers has been set for Thursday, March 22 at Roland Michener Arena in Transcona.

In the first round, the Saints selected forward Matt Glowa. Matt is a 7th round draft pick of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders. This past season, the 5’6″ forward played Bantam AAA for the Winnipeg Sharks.

The second round brought the Saints Grunthal’s Lucas Froese. An 11th round pick of the Regina Pats, Lucas measures up at 5’10″.

Winnipeg Hawks forward Mark Stone was selected in the third round by the Saints. The Brandon Wheat Kings 5th round draft pick is 5’11″.

In the fourth round, the Saints selected 5’6″ Winnipeg Monarchs defenceman Luke Paulsen.

With their final pick of the draft, the Saints selected Dustin Bruyere from the Winnipeg Warriors.

The Winnipeg Saints and MJHL are excited to announce that forward Jordan Mistelbacher has been invited to Team Canada’s Under-18 selection camp in Calgary from Aug. 4-9.

Mistelbacher, 17, just completed his rookie season with the Saints. In 50 regular season games, he had five goals and 26 assists for 31 points, while playing along side his older brother, Tyler. He also chipped in two goals and seven points in nine playoff games.

The Winnipeg product spent time in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips, where he had an assist in three regular season games and two assists in nine playoff games. Mistelbacher was one of five MJHLers that were part of Team Manitoba for the Canada Games in February. Of the 40 players invited to the selection camp, Mistelbacher is one of only six players that did not play Major Junior last season.

After the selection camp, Canada will fly overseas to compete in the U-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament,from Aug. 14-18 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Saints headed to Selkirk on Friday night to face the Steelers in game one of the Addison Division Final.

With Potvin starting in goal for the Saints, the Steelers got to him :51 in to take a 1-0 lead. Tyler Mistelbacher’s goal a minute and a half later brought the Saints even. With Watt in the box, the Steelers took the lead after one period.

The Saints took advantage in the second and tied it up on Jordan Mistelbacher’s goal shortly after killing off a penalty. With 2:05 left, Kirkpatrick’s powerplay goal gave the Saints a hard-fought 3-2 lead after two. Halfway through the third, Selkirk evened the score and the teams headed to overtime.

The first overtime saw the Steelers storm the Saints end. But once again, Potvin stood up to the task and stopped everything thrown his way.

The second overtime saw the Saints give Selkirk two powerplays but the Steelers couldn’t capitalize. Kirkpatrick and Gingera both had excellent chances but the teams still headed to the third OT period.

Having already gone through a lengthy OT game in the series against the Blues, the Saints knew what it would take to win this one. But tonight it wasn’t to be as with 10:38 left in the third overtime, the Steelers finally beat Potvin and skated home with a 4-3 win. Potvin earned a well-deserved 2nd star with over 60 saves.

The Winnipeg Saints are in the process of creating a contact list of their alumni. If you are an alumnus, please contact

The Saints are once again hosting the Alumni Golf Tournament at the South Interlake Golf and Country Club.