A perfect start to the week was capped by an overtime thriller Sunday at home as the Stonewall Jets rocketed up the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League standings.
The Jets went 3-0 over games Thursday, Friday and Sunday to improve to 4-2 and move into fourth place in the league.
They opened the week with a 3-0 shutout Thursday night at home against the St. James Jr. Canucks, backstopped by goaltender Spencer Hunnam, who stopped all 37 shots he faced. Rylan Slatcher scored twice, while Peyton Bateman added a first-period marker that stood as the game winner.
Everett Winters took over the crease Friday in Morris and also found success, backstopping Stonewall to a 6-3 win over the winless Pembina Valley Twisters. Winters made 28 saves on 31 shots, while the Jets fired 42 at Twisters goalie Rowan Cherkas.
Alex Kaczorowski opened the scoring in the first and added his second of the night in the middle frame. Karson King, Gavin Holod, Slatcher and Adam Newcombe rounded out the offence with one goal each. Stonewall led 6-1 early in the third before the Twisters scored twice late to narrow the gap.
The Jets then returned home Sunday for a matinee against the St. Vital Jr. Victorias at Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, where things remained scoreless through 20 minutes.
St. Vital struck twice early in the second before Slatcher, Austin Lourenco and Cohen Cheung responded with three straight goals to give Stonewall a 3-2 lead heading into the third. The Victorias tied it midway through the period to force overtime.
After a St. Vital penalty in extra time, Kaczorowski netted the game-winner on the power play to seal a 4-3 victory and the Jets’ third win in four days. Hunnam earned his second win of the week, stopping 37 shots in the overtime triumph.
The Jets now hit the road Friday to face the Charleswood Hawks before returning home Sunday to host Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge.
Upcoming games
Friday, Oct. 24 — at Charleswood Hawks, 7:30 p.m., Eric Coy Arena
Sunday, Oct. 26 — vs Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Sports Complex
