It was a big day for the SJHL Tuesday in Winnipeg at the annual showcase with the MJHL.
The SJHL earned victories in all three games against their Manitoba counterparts and looked impressive in doing so.
SJU20 Gold 5 vs MJU20 Red 2
A hot start in the opening 20 minutes propelled SJ U20 Gold to a 5-2 win over MJ U20 Red to kick off the day. Melfort’s Aidyn Hutchinson, Weyburn’s Jerome Maharaj, and Estevan’s Ilia Chmelevski all found the back of the net in the first period to give the SJHL a 3-1 lead after the opening 20. The MJHL would get to within one early in the 2nd period and then proceed to get several scoring chances which were all stopped by Broncos goaltender Ben Motew who made 37 saves in the victory. Tylin Hilbig of the Kindersley Klippers and Tanner Gold of the Battlefords North Stars scored the insurance markers in the win and Ben Motew was named Player of the Game. Ilia Chmelevski had a three-point night, adding a pair of assists on the insurance goals and he caught up with Director of Media Jeromy Corrigan after the game.
SJ U20 White 4 MJ U20 Black 3
The 2nd game of the day saw the other U20 teams go toe to toe at Seven Oaks Arena. This time though it would be the MJHL getting on the board first thanks to former Weyburn Red Wing Kirk Mullen. However, with 1:33 remaining in the opening stanza, it would be Bombers forward Jacob Vockler rifling one into the back of the net off a great pass by teammate Alexi Sylvestre to knot the game up at one. Mason Bueckert would give the SJHL their first lead of the game thanks to a great pass from Yorkton Terriers’ forward David Coyle. The goal came on the power-play and made it 2-1. The see-saw battle would continue as Manitoba would respond with a pair in the frame and would take a one-goal lead into the third. The SJ didn’t have to wait long in the 3rd to get the equalizer as Hounds forward Cole Wirun would net his first of the event to tie the game up at three just 1:47 into the period. It appeared the game was destined for overtime, but Humboldt Broncos forward Travis Bryson had other ideas as he made a gorgeous solo dash to the net and swept home the game-winner with 5:25 to go, giving the SJHL a 4-3 win. Mason Bueckert was named player of the game for the SJHL and after the game, Director of Media Jeromy Corrigan caught up with Cole Wirun who tied the game early in the third period.
SJ U18 Blue 3 vs MJ U18 White 2
The final game of the day saw the two U18 teams lock horns and one could argue it was the most entertaining game of the day. Terriers defenceman Anthony McIntosh would open the scoring on a gorgeous 3 on 1 in the first period to give the SJHL an early lead. Then in the 2nd, Saskatchewan would add a pair thanks to Carson Olsen of the Battlefords North Stars and Jacob Strizzi of the Humboldt Broncos. It looked like the SJ U18s were going to cruise to victory, but the MJ would fight back with a pair of goals in the third to make it interesting. However, in the end, the SJHL would hang on for the win and complete the Day 1 sweep. Kenneth Marquart from the Flin Flon Bombers was superb in between the pipes for the U18s, making 29 saves in the win. Anthony McIntosh was named Player of the Game for the SJHL and he chatted with Director of Media Jeromy Corrigan after the game.
The three wins improved the SJHL to 18-8-0-1 all-time at this event against the MJHL. The event will wrap up with three more games tomorrow from the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg. All three games can be streamed online on Flo Hockey.
Wednesday, January 31st
20U MJ Black vs 20U SJ Gold 11am
20U MJ Red vs 20U SJ White 2pm
18U MJ White vs 18U SJ Blue 5pm
