The Warren Mercs’ season came to a close Sunday evening in Ile des Chenes, but not before a gritty five-game playoff battle that saw momentum swing both ways in their South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League Series C matchup.
Mercs goaltender Travis Bosch turns aside one of his 37 saves to backstop Warren to a 2-1 victory and force a deciding Game 5 in the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League playoff series
The Northstars ultimately claimed the best-of-five series three games to two with a 6-4 victory in Game 5, but the Mercs were in the fight from opening puck drop on Feb. 14.
Warren opened the series with an offensive explosion, earning an 8-6 road win in Game 1. After falling behind 2-0 early in the first period, the Mercs responded quickly. Stephen Kleysen got Warren on the board with a power-play marker before Eric Swanson tied the game just 31 seconds later.
The teams traded chances in a wide-open contest that featured 14 goals. Drake Lindsay, Johnny Lazo (two), Josh Roche, Jesse Korytko and Gianluca Esteves all scored for Warren. Esteves’ third-period tally stood as the game-winner, and he finished with three points. Carson Ouelette added two assists, while Korytko and Kleysen each had a goal and a helper. Evan Baty turned aside 34 shots in the win as the Mercs capitalized on one of five power-play opportunities.
Ile des Chenes responded in Game 2 with a 7-2 win in Warren. Brett Brooks opened the scoring for the Mercs in the second period and Patrick D’Amico added a third-period marker, but the Northstars controlled much of the play. Baty faced heavy pressure, stopping 35 shots in the loss.
Game 3 was another tightly contested affair, with the Northstars edging Warren 4-3 on home ice. After trailing 1-0 following a short-handed goal in the first period, the Mercs grabbed the lead in the second on goals from Esteves and Kleysen. Ile des Chenes answered with two of their own before Matthew Osadick netted the eventual game-winner midway through the third. Esteves brought Warren within one on a late power play, finishing with two goals, but the comeback fell short. Baty made 29 saves in the defeat.
Facing elimination in Game 4 at home, the Mercs delivered one of their strongest defensive efforts of the series. After two scoreless periods, Lindsay broke the deadlock at 9:05 of the third period, finishing a play set up by Esteves and D’Amico. Ile des Chenes tied the game just over three minutes later, but Esteves answered at 16:45 with the go-ahead goal, assisted by Brett Brooks.
Goaltender Travis Bosch was outstanding, turning aside 37 of 38 shots as Warren secured a 2-1 victory to force a decisive Game 5.
Sunday’s winner-take-all contest began in disastrous fashion for the Mercs. Ile des Chenes struck three times in the opening 2:53 to seize early momentum. Lindsay halted the surge with a late first-period goal, and the teams exchanged tallies in the second, including a goal from Stephen Kleysen.
Trailing by two entering the third, Warren mounted one final push. Wayde Johannesson cut the deficit to 5-3 midway through the period, and Kaden Stewart brought the Mercs within one at 15:45, finishing a play from Lindsay and Kyle Lundale.
Despite outshooting pressure late, Warren could not find the equalizer. The Northstars sealed the game with a late goal at 18:28. Bosch was busy once again, making 41 saves in the loss, while Lindsay led the Mercs with a goal and two assists in the finale.
Over the five-game series, Esteves was a consistent offensive presence, scoring four goals and adding multiple assists, including two game-winning goals. Lindsay elevated his play late in the series, recording four points across Games 4 and 5. Kleysen and Lazo also contributed key goals, while Bosch’s Game 4 performance extended the series.
Three of the five games were decided by a single goal, underscoring how evenly matched the teams were throughout the series.
Though their playoff run ends in the opening round, the Mercs demonstrated resilience and offensive depth, battling until the final minutes of Game 5 in a series that could have swung either way.
