Calling this week a defining moment for the Parkland U-18 Rangers would be an understatement—it’s make-or-break time.
After a tough sweep at the hands of the Wild in Winnipeg, the Rangers remain in sixth place, but with only three games left in the regular season, they’re teetering on the playoff bubble. If they don’t find a way to collect some crucial points, their postseason dreams will slip away.
Parkland sits at 48 points, locked in a tense battle with the Pembina Valley Hawks for the final playoff spots. Hot on their heels, the Interlake Lightning (47 points, four games remaining) and Eastman Selects (47 points, two games remaining) are within striking distance, adding even more pressure to an already intense race.
The challenge is steep. First up, a road test against the powerhouse Brandon Wheat Kings, the league’s top team, on Wednesday. Then, the Rangers head to the Sun Gro Centre for a high-stakes weekend showdown against Eastman—two games that could ultimately decide their season.
It’s now or never.
U-18 Rangers:
Wednesday @ Brandon - 37-5-2-2 (77 points, 1st place)
Season Series:
Parkland 2 Brandon 7
Parkland 1 Brandon 4
Parkland 1 Brandon 5
Saturday @ Eastman - 21-20-2-2 (47 points, 9th place)
Sunday @ Eastman - 21-20-2-2 (47 points, 9th place)
Season Series:
Parkland 7 Eastman 6
Parkland 3 Eastman 2
U-18 Hawks:
Friday vs Kenora - 18-27 (36 points, 10th place - eliminated)
Season Series:
Pembina Valley 3 Kenora 2
Pembina Valley 4 Kenora 1
Pembina Valley 5 Kenora 2
Saturday @ Thrashers - 28-16-2 (58 points, 4th place - could drop to fifth, can not climb)
Season Series:
Pembina Valley 2 Thrashers 8
Pembina Valley 0 Thrashers 6
Pembina Valley 3 Thrashers 4 (overtime)
Sunday vs Bruins - 35-7-1-2 (73 points, 3rd place - could jump to first, can not finish below 3rd)
Season Series:
Pembina Valley 2 Bruins 5
Pembina Valley 2 Bruins 4
Pembina Valley 2 Bruins 7
U-18 Lightning:
Tuesday @ Central Plains - 9-36 (18 points, 12th place - could drop to 13th place, can't go higher than 12th)
Season Series:
Interlake 4 Central Plains 5
Interlake 6 Central Plains 2
Interlake 6 Central Plains 2
Wednesday vs Thrashers - 28-16-2 (58 points, 4th place - could drop to fifth, can not climb)
Season Series:
Interlake 4 Winnipeg 3
Interlake 1 Winnipeg 3
Interlake 5 Winnipeg 2
Saturday @ Yellowhead - 7-35-1-1 (16 points, 13th place - could jump to 12th place)
Sunday @ Yellowhead - 7-35-1-1 (16 points, 13th place - could jump to 12th place)
Season Series:
Interlake 3 Yellowhead 2
Interlake 7 Yellowhead 6
U-18 Selects:
Saturday vs Parkland - 23-20-1-1 (48 points, 6th place - could remain in sixth, could drop to ninth)
Sunday vs Parkland - 23-20-1-1 (48 points, 6th place - could remain in sixth, could drop to ninth)
It's wide open as the last week of the regular season has arrived. Four teams, one point separates them. Only two will make the playoffs and everyone in the Parkland is cheering on the Rangers.
