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Nighthawks, Wolverines, Steelers, Pistons and Stampeders earn wins

by ksaurette

RUFF LEADS STAMPEDERS TO OPENING-NIGHT WIN

Swan Valley 5, Northern Manitoba 2

THE PAS, MB — The Swan Valley Stampeders opened the 2026–27 MJHL regular season in impressive fashion Friday night, earning a 5-2 road victory over the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.

Dylan Ruff wasted little time making an impact in his first regular-season game of the campaign, finding the back of the net three times while adding an assist for a four-point performance. Ruff’s three-goal night accounted for three of Swan Valley’s five goals as the Stampeders established themselves early and carried their momentum through the contest to pick up a big road win.


In the crease, Easton Falls provided a strong start between the pipes for Swan Valley, stopping 30 of 32 shots to earn the victory. The Stampeders left The Pas with two points to begin the season, while the Blizzard will look to respond Saturday as opening weekend continues.

STEELERS DOWN KINGS IN OT THRILLER

Selkirk 6, Dauphin 5

SELKIRK, MB — The Selkirk Steelers opened their season with an offensive outburst Friday night, edging the Dauphin Kings 6-5 in a back-and-forth opening-night affair.

Teagan Wrolstad and Isaac Sousa led the way for the Steelers with a pair of goals, helping Selkirk put six on the board in its first game of the new campaign. Jack Engin also contributed offensively with an assist as the Steelers secured two points in front of their home crowd.


The Kings pushed back throughout the night, keeping the game within striking distance, but Isaac Sousa’s second of the night would lift the Steelers in overtime to secure the opening-night victory. The two clubs now turn their attention to Saturday night where they will meet in Dauphin for the Kings home opener.

WOLVERINES OPEN SEASON WITH HOME-ICE WIN

Waywayseecappo 5, Virden 2

WAYWAYSEECAPPO, MB — The Waywayseecappo Wolverines made the most of their home opener Friday night, defeating the Virden Oil Capitals 5-2 to begin the season with a victory.

Captain Treycen Wuttunee led the offensive charge for the Wolverines, scoring once and adding an assist in his first game wearing the captain’s “C” for Waywayseecappo. Ryden Duchon and Dylan Duzan also recorded assists as the Wolverines generated contributions throughout their lineup. The Wolverines scored four goals in the 3rd period after the two rivals went into the final twenty minutes tied at 1-1.


Mariko Bercier was strong in the Wolverines net, stopping 32 of 34 Virden shots.

Waywayseecappo earned two points to begin the season against a Virden team that reached the Turnbull Cup Final last spring. The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Tundra Oil & Gas Place, giving the Oil Capitals an immediate opportunity to answer back against their MGEU West Division rivals.

PISTONS START WITH WIN OVER RIVAL FLYERS

Steinbach 3, Winkler 1

WINKLER, MB — The Steinbach Pistons opened their regular-season schedule Friday night with a 3-1 road victory over the Winkler Flyers.

Steinbach’s offence found enough throughout the night to secure the win, while the Pistons limited Winkler to a single goal. The victory gives Steinbach two points to begin the campaign and provides an early boost heading into the rest of opening weekend.

Eric Han, William Picklyk, and Olivier Mathieu scored singles in the opener while Lincoln Molind turned aside 21 of 22 shots in the win.


The Pistons will now prepare for their home opener Saturday night at the Southeast Event Centre, where they will welcome the Flyers for the second half of the opening-weekend matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

NIGHTHAWKS BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE WITH WIN

Niverville 5, Winnipeg Monarchs 2

NIVERVILLE, MB — The Niverville Nighthawks began their 2026–27 MJHL campaign the same way they finished last season — with two points.

The defending Turnbull Cup and Centennial Cup champions opened their title defence Friday night with a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Monarchs. Niverville scored five times in its regular-season opener, providing an early glimpse of a team beginning its first season since completing one of the most successful championship runs in recent MJHL history.

The Monarchs led by a pair of goals after the first period, quieting the home crowd on banner night but thanks to five unanswered goals, the Nighthawks picked up back where they left off last season.


Marlen Edwards was a difference maker for the Nighthawks, recording a pair of goals and an assist in the opener.

The Nighthawks now move forward with a 1-0 record as they now won’t play again until Friday, September 25. Winnipeg, meanwhile, will look to regroup after allowing five goals in its opening-night loss as the Monarchs continue through opening weekend when they meet their cross town rival, Winnipeg Blues on Saturday night.

Photo Credit: Kalee Haasbeek