Stars’ forward, Steven Kesslering pictured here in his first showcase game, suiting up for the SJHL’s Team Schwartz. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW)

By Martin Martinson

Showcase started

SJHL/MJHL showcase: Opening day wrap-up

Jan 21, 2020 | 8:39 PM

Opening day of the SJHL/MJHL Showcase drew to a close Tuesday night with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) taking two of the three matchups between the two sides.

The first game of the day featured the SJHL’s Team Kunitz topping the MJHL’s Team Belfour, 1-0.

Despite a combined 46 shots and nine power play chances between the two sides, the game remained scoreless to the final minute of regulation time.

Then, with just 23 seconds to go on the clock, Notre Dame Hounds’ captain, Jared Hamm picked up a tip-shot in front for the game winner on the contest.

Stars’ defenceman, Noah Form was on the ice for the deciding goal, initiating the scoring play with a timely pinch in-deep. Form said he was just happy to see the puck go in, and the team get the win.

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“When I saw it go in, I was super excited,” he said. “I mean, being out there I was just trying to play a bit offensive and generate something, so it was nice that the boys could pick it up and end up scoring off of it.”

Melville Millionaires’ goalie, Berk Berkeliev posted an 18-save shutout for the Team Kunitz win, while Steinbach’s Matt Lenz stopped 27-of-28 in the loss for Team Belfour.

Manitoba would get their revenge though, come the second game.

Manitoba’s Team Zajac topped the Saskatchewan’s Team Mitchell 4-1 in the follow-up.

Much like the opening contest, the game was again a battle of the goaltenders with just a single goal between the teams, through the opening two periods. However, in the third, Team Zajac pulled away with three-unanswered to claim the win.

Flin Flon’s Donavan Houle-Villeneuve scored the lone goal for Saskatchewan, while Dauphin’s Grady Hobbs, Virden’s Tanner Andrew, Waywayseecappo’s Conrad Phillips and Dauphin’s Carter Sawchuck cashed in with a single goal apiece for the MJHL.

Dorrin Luding made 27 stops in the Team Zajac win, while Nipawin’s Ross Hawryluk and Estevan’s Keenan Rancier split the start for Team Mitchell in the loss. Together the pair stopped 25 of a combined 29 shots on the night.

In the tie breaking ‘young guns,’ showdown, Saskatchewan’s Team Schwartz played Manitoba’s Team Garbutt in the final game of the night.

Team Garbutt took home a 5-2 decision to cap the evening. Manitoba received goal contributions from Selkirk’s Caiden Gault, Winkler’s Jayden McCarthy, and Brayden Foreman and Mitchell Joss of Winnipeg. Cooper Hatfield, also of the Winnipeg Blues, made 27 saves for the victory.

Humboldt’s Tristan Shewchuk and Aaron Greyeyes of La Ronge scored for Saskatchewan, in the loss, while Melfort Mustangs’ netminder, Tanner Martin stopped 29 of 34 shots against.

The showcase will conclude Wednesday with one final game for each team.

At 10:15 a.m. Team Kunitz will battle Team Zajac to open the morning. At 1:33 p.m. Team Mitchell will face off with Team Belfour, and at 5:03 p.m. Team Schwartz will play Team Garbutt.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1