By Derek Holtom
The MJHL playoffs are well under way as the first round started this past weekend. Here’s a quick recap of the four series as of Monday morning.
Titans versus Oil Capitals
Neepawa is in big trouble following the first two games, after being out-scored 10-1 in their first two games against Virden. The Oil Capitals actually scored their 10 goals in just the first four periods as they won the opener 6-0 and the second game 4-1 in Neepawa Saturday night.
Four players from the Oil Capitals have four points after two games, including rookie Dysen Drake who has three goals and one assist. Other four-point men include forward Tyson Draper, and defensemen Austin Osiowy and Ty Plaisier. Neepawa’s lone goal came off the stick of rookie Ryan Harris.
The Titans need to solve Virden netminder Braxton Burdeny who has a 0.50 GAA, a .980 save percentage and one shutout after two games.
Wolverines versus Kings
The Wolverines lead this best-of-seven series 2-0. They are now two wins away from their first-ever MJHL best-of-seven series victory.
The Wolverines won Game 1, 4-3 in overtime Friday night thanks to a Cole Hunter goal, and won Game 2, 4-1 on home ice for the commanding series lead. Captain Sebastien Hicks, defenseman Kurt Rookes and forward Max Collyer each have three points for the Wolverines in the series so far. The Kings are led by Ethan Stewart who has two goals and two assists in two games.
Flyers versus Nighthawks
Winkler may have been one of the hottest teams in the MJHL in 2026, but that doesn’t mean a thing once the playoffs get under way. And first-place Niverville showed how hungry they are to win their first-ever playoff series as they blasted Winkler 8-2 in the series opener Saturday night.
Winkler went goal-for-goal with Niverville in the first period which ended 2-2, but the Nighthawks scored six unanswered goals to earn the home-ice win. John Scott led the hosts with three goals and one assists, while Marlen Edwards – looking to win back-to-back league titles – had four assists.
Game 2 of this series took place Monday night in Winkler before the print deadline.
Terriers versus Pistons
Home ice meant nothing through the first two games of this series as both teams won on the road. The Terriers opened up the playoffs with a 3-2 victory on Friday night in Steinbach, and the Pistons responded with a 4-2 victory Sunday night in Portage la Prairie.
Of note, goal-scoring phenomenon Trevor Hill has been held to just one assist in two games for the Terriers. Drayden Uhrina has a pair for Portage in two games, while Steinbach defenseman Brett Kaiser has five assists.
• The Waywayseecappo Wolverines and Portage Terriers both started the playoffs short-handed as some of their players were suspended in their final game of the year in separate games.
Wayway won Game one without the services of Noah Oughton. He was handed a one-game suspension for getting into a second fight in a stoppage in their season-ending win against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.
The Portage Terriers were without both Ben Albers and Hunter Dingman. They both were handed two-game suspensions for taking part in a three-fight in the same stoppage situation in their final game against the Winnipeg Monarchs. Like the Wolverines, the Terriers didn’t miss them in their first game as the Terriers won their Game 1 against the Steinbach Pistons.
• The final Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Players of the Week start with a great ending to a tough season for Winnipeg Blues forward Lucas Lagoutte. In a very busy week, Lagoutte scored five goals and added four assists in five games for nine points to win this honour.
Next up is Virden goaltender Braxton Burdeny. He won all three of his starts down the stretch, posting a 1.67 GAA, a .948 save percentage, and one shutout, to earn his award.
The final winner is also from the Virden Oil Capitals, as forward Cohen Lewko was recognized. He scored three times and added five assists for an eight-point week in five games played to win this honour.