It took a thrilling shootout for the MJHL to get their first win of the 2025 MJHL/SJHL Showcase as the host province finished the day with a 1-2 record.
MJHL U20 Red vs SJHL U20 Gold
The first game of the event started off pretty well for the MJHL as Winkler Flyer Brody Beauchemin broke in on a power play and scored to make it a 1-0 MJHL lead. Fellow Flyers Isaiah Peters and Jayce Legaarden had the assists on the power play goal.
In response, the SJHL scored twice in less then three minutes to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Only one goal was scored in the second and that belonged to the SJHL, who then took a 3-1 lead into the third.
Less than a minute into the final frame, Flyers forward Nik Gudmundson potted one to cut the lead to 3-2. Adam Vigfusson of the Nighthawks and Nich McKee of the Flyers helped out on the goal.
Everything else score wise belonged to the SJHL who scored twice more to run away with a 5-2 win.
Liam Ernst, who was sensational throughout the night making several key saves to keep his team alive, was saddled with the loss after making 34 saves.
MJHL U20 Black vs SJHL U20 White
In the second game, things were even until the second period when the SJHL ran away with the game, eventually taking a 9-4 victory.
After a scoreless first period, it was again the MJHL getting on the board first as Niverville Nighthawks forward Matteo Speranza finished off a great passing play to grab a 1-0 lead. Landon Gulutzan and Cam Bullinger had the assists on the opening goal.
SJHL responded with back-to-back shorthanded goals in quick order to take a 2-1 lead.
Decker Mujcin responded as he crashed the net and buried on a jam play, evening the game at 2-2. Bullinger once again had an assist while fellow Terrier Nolan Nenow also grabbed a helper.
Four straight goals by the SJHL gave them a 6-2 lead heading into the third period.
Selkirks Wyatt Witham scored early in the third from fellow Steeler Luke McCarthy and linemate Sam Noad of the Steinbach Pistons to make it 6-3.
Another goal made it 6-2 as Muicjin snapped home his second of the night on the power play to make things more interesting at 6-4.
Three more un-answered goals by the SJHL made it a 9-4 final.
Steinbach’s Christian Green was hit with the loss, though many of the goals were far from his fault. He finished with 18 saves on the day.
MJHL U18 White vs SJHL U18 Blue
It may have took until the end of a lengthy shootout but the wait was worth it for the MJHL as they captured the win 3-2.
For a third straight game, the host province opened the scoring.
After a scoreless first, Esteban Cinq-Mars scored on a point shot through traffic, giving the young guns a 1-0 lead.
MJHL would add do it as Brody Green and Mathis Laplante of Steinbach helped set up their linemate Adam Matar of the Winnipeg Blues for a beauty, making it a 2-0 game.
Before the period was over, the SJHL would respond, cutting the lead to 2-1.
The MJHL had several glorious chances to tie the game but whether it was a bouncing puck, a block or simply bad luck, the game stayed 2-1.
Things were quiet and in control for the most part through the early stages of the third but the SJHL used a broken play in the slot to end up scoring the game tying goal, bringing things to 2-2.
It took until the shootout where the MJHL finally secured the win after both goalies made some terrific stops.
The MJHL’s win brought their record to 1-2 after day 1.