Five Rounds, One Overtime, One Split: Vipers and Cudas Go Toe-to-Toe in Texas

MHL WEEKEND WRAP — Nov. 6–7, 2026

FINAL/SO: Breckenridge Vipers 5, Mansfield Barracudas 4

Friday, Nov. 6 — Mansfield StarCenter

FINAL/OT: Breckenridge Vipers 3, Mansfield Barracudas 4

Saturday, Nov. 7 — Mansfield StarCenter

Last spring these two teams met in the semifinals, and Mansfield went on to the Clear Cup final. This weekend at the Star Center was the rematch. Over two nights and more than 125 minutes of hockey, neither team could put the other away.

Friday: Vipers 5, Barracudas 4 (shootout).

Roman Berger scored the first MHL goal of his career for the Vipers, set up by Noah Salasky, and it was 1-1 after one period. In the second, Breckenridge took over. Garret Jackson scored his first MHL goal, set up by Jake Bernstein and Rick Batenburg. Then Chris Bouchard picked off a puck and went in alone on a breakaway for another first MHL goal. Justin Elmore made it 4-1, with Bernstein and Alec Asensio assisting. That's four goals and three first-timers on opening night.

But a three-goal lead isn't safe in this league. PJ Donnelly got one back for Mansfield before the second period ended. Chris Blake tipped in a Jimmy Anderson point shot in the third. Then Alex Olson tied it with under three minutes left, and the building went nuts.

Overtime didn't settle it, so it went to a shootout, and three rounds weren't enough either. Batenburg scored as the third Vipers shooter. Jackson, who'd scored his first MHL goal in the second, scored as shooter number five to put the Vipers ahead. Then Brady DeVries stopped Olson to end it. Mansfield outshot Breckenridge 51 to 37, and DeVries is the reason the Vipers came out with the win.

Saturday: Barracudas 4, Vipers 3 (overtime).

Justin VanValkenburg scored on the power play in the first period to put the Vipers ahead. Mansfield tied it in the second, and Luke Noble put Breckenridge back in front with a quick wrister over the glove. Then the Cudas answered twice and led 3-2 in the third. Berger and Olson dropped the gloves. Batenburg tied it 3-3, the water bottle went flying, and the game went to overtime for the second straight night.

This time it didn't reach a shootout. In overtime Mansfield got a two-on-one, rang one off the post and in, and the Cudas had their split. Shots were 48 to 44 for Mansfield.

What it means. The Vipers took three of a possible four points on the road. Both games went past sixty minutes. The broadcast booth said these two can stand toe-to-toe with Reno, and after this weekend I won't argue. The rematch is in Breckenridge in December, and you should be there.

NEXT UP

Fri, Nov. 13, 7:30 PM: Denver Pizza Boys @ Breckenridge Vipers — Vipers home opener, Stephen C. West Ice Arena

Player stats from this series are provisional until official score sheets are received. Photo: Mansfield Barracudas broadcast

— From the Office of the MHL