The Stonewall Rams saw their Winnipeg High School Hockey League season come to an end last week after a hard-fought three-game playoff series against J.H. Bruns in the Winnipeg Free Press Division.
Stonewall opened the best-of-three first-round matchup with a strong offensive performance, claiming a 7-5 victory in Game 1 on Feb. 17.
After J.H. Bruns struck first, Daniel Halleux answered from Dustin Campbell to even the score. Campbell then gave Stonewall the lead on the power play from Liam Cox, and Matthew Hawryluk added another from Chase Corbett to build a 3-1 advantage after the opening period.
The Rams continued to press in the second as Hawryluk netted his second of the night from Mason Bernier. Campbell added his second goal in the third period from Kale Wait. Aiden Jonasson and Bernier rounded out the scoring late as Stonewall held off a push from J.H. Bruns to secure the 7-5 win.
Game 2 on Feb. 18 proved to be another tightly contested battle. J.H. Bruns edged Stonewall 6-5 in overtime to even the series at one game apiece.
Aaron Orsulak opened the scoring for the Rams before Hawryluk buried a power-play marker from Brody Slatcher and Alec Harrisko. In the third period, Bernier and Harrisko both found the back of the net, and Corbett scored late to force overtime. J.H. Bruns capitalized in the extra frame to send the series to a decisive Game 3.
In the winner-take-all final on Feb. 20, J.H. Bruns pulled away for a 5-0 victory, ending Stonewall’s playoff run in the opening round.
