The Stonewall Rams head into the Winnipeg High School Hockey League playoffs after splitting their final two regular-season games, highlighted by a shutout victory and a competitive battle against Sanford.
Stonewall closed out its home schedule Feb. 11 at the Stonewall Veterans Memorial Sports Complex with one of its strongest performances of the season, blanking CSLR 4-0. The Rams opened the scoring late in the first period when Nate McIvor finished a play set up by Cole Lamy and Aaron Orsulak. They doubled the lead in the second as Matthew Hawryluk scored shorthanded from Mason Bernier and Lamy, swinging momentum firmly in Stonewall’s favour.
Hawryluk struck again in the third period, converting another chance created by Bernier, before Liam Cox capped the scoring on the power play from Chase Corbett and Alec Harrisko. Hawryluk finished with two goals while Lamy and Bernier each collected two assists and Cox added a goal and a helper.
In goal, Tyler Loehmer was perfect, stopping all 43 shots he faced for the shutout as the Rams controlled play defensively and weathered several penalty-kill situations.
Stonewall wrapped up the regular season Feb. 13 on the road against Sanford, falling 6-3 in a fast-paced matchup. The Rams answered early when McIvor tied the game in the first period off passes from Daniel Halleux and Aiden Jonasson. After Sanford regained the lead, Mason Bernier brought Stonewall back within one in the second period, assisted by Jonasson and McIvor.
Cole Lamy later scored on the power play in the third period from Brody Slatcher, but Sanford pulled away with late goals. McIvor and Jonasson each recorded two points in the contest, while Loehmer made 22 saves.
Stonewall finished ninth in the Winnipeg Free Press Division with 22 points and now turns its attention to the post-season, opening a home-and-home total-goal series against J.H. Bruns on Feb. 17 at Southdale Community Club before hosting the return game Feb. 18 at the Stony Mountain Recreation Centre.
