The Stonewall Jets pushed their first-round Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League playoff series to the limit, but a third-period surge by the River East Royal Knights ended their season with a 5-4 loss in Game 7 on March 27 at the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex.
Stonewall appeared in control early, building a 3-1 lead after the first period on goals from Brody Stovin, Peyton Bateman and captain Karson King. King added another in the second period to make it 4-1, putting the Jets in a strong position to complete the comeback series win.
However, River East responded with four unanswered goals in the third period, including two from Nolan Fielding, to complete the comeback and eliminate the Jets.
Spencer Hunnam made 36 saves on 41 shots in the loss, while Kyle Beilman stopped 41 of 45 shots for River East.
The decisive game capped a tightly contested seven-game series that swung back and forth throughout.
River East opened the series with a 6-3 win on March 13, followed by a narrow 4-3 decision on March 15 to take a 2-0 series lead. The Jets dropped Game 3 at home 7-4 before facing elimination.
Stonewall responded with resilience, beginning with a 5-2 win in Game 4 on March 20 to stay alive.
Game 5 marked a turning point as the Jets delivered a dominant 6-2 victory on home ice. King led the way with four goals, including a power-play marker, while Kale Chipman and Rylan Slatcher also scored. Stonewall outshot River East 41-18, with Hunnam earning the win.
The Jets carried that momentum into Game 6 on March 25 in Winnipeg, jumping out to a 3-0 first-period lead on goals from Wylie Garchinski, Gavin Holod and Seth Clements. Bateman added the eventual game-winner in the third period as Stonewall held on for a 4-3 victory to force Game 7.
Stonewall’s offensive leaders were among the most productive players in the league during the first round. King finished with 10 goals and 13 points in six games to lead all playoff scorers, while Bateman added 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and Holod recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Stovin also contributed eight points, placing four Jets skaters among the league’s top offensive producers.
Despite the final outcome, the Jets showed strong character in battling back from a 3-0 series deficit to force a deciding game, highlighted by offensive production from their top line and steady goaltending from Hunnam.
The series ultimately came down to a single period, with River East capitalizing late to advance, while Stonewall’s season came to an end just one win short of the second round.
