NEW YEAR’S GOAL FRENZY IN THE MHL

Alright folks, buckle up — this is old-time hockey with a New Year’s twist,

I’ll tell ya something right off the hop — 2026 picked up exactly where 2025 left off. Goals, hits, drama, and Mountain Hockey League mayhem! Seven games, three league series, and a good old Colorado exhibition mixed in for flavour. That’s hockey, folks. Let’s get after it!

Friday:

McCall Mountaineers 5 – Bozeman Stingers 6 (SO)
Sin City Kings 2 – Reno Ice Raiders 8
Mansfield Barracudas 4 – Santa Rosa Growlers 3

Now listen — Reno just came off a tied series with their biggest rivals, Santa Rosa, on home ice. So you’d think facing the Sin City Kings would be a walk in the park, right? Not so fast!

Kings netminder Mario Vrab stood on his head in game one, folks. Absolute brick wall. Kept it a one-goal game heading into the third. But let me tell ya — firepower wins championships, and Reno unloaded with a five-goal third period to keep that Nevada crown right where it belongs — Washoe County, baby!

Northern action? Or we got you covered! Bozeman digs deep, claws back, and steals one in a shootout over their Idaho neighbours, the McCall Mountaineers. Grit, determination and a big W ahead of Saturday night!

And… how about this one. Mansfield Barracudas taking down last year’s champ the Santa Rosa Growlers! First big scalp of the season, and goalie Alex Taylor was unreal — .946 on the night. That’s standing tall when it matters. Two massive points at home. Same again tomorrow? We’ll see!

Saturday:

Breckenridge Vipers 10 – Steamboat Vigilantes 4
McCall Mountaineers 3 – Bozeman Stingers 11
Sin City Kings 1 – Reno Ice Raiders 7
Mansfield Barracudas 1 – Santa Rosa Growlers 5

Saturday night and an old rivalry comes roaring back! Exhibition team Steamboat Vigilantes hit the ice in Breck — but let me tell ya, the Vipers weren’t in the mood for nostalgia. A 5–1 first period, total domination. All four lines contributing, but the Nee–Kendall–Bailey line? Seven combined points. That’s class, folks. 10–4 final, book closed, lights out.

Bozeman? Ohhh, they wanted to send a message. Night one wasn’t a fluke, not even close. 11–3 beatdown, series sweep, and Reed Kaiser puts on a clinic — five points (2G, 3A). That’s how you answer the bell. Stingers family, you gotta love it!

And the heavyweights reminded everyone why they sit at the big table. Santa Rosa fixed their mistakes and bounced back with a 5–1 win over Mansfield. You can knock ’em down, but you can’t keep the Growlers down. Honours even before leaving Texas.

And Reno? Absolute statement. 7–1 domination in the Battle of Nevada. Fast, physical, relentless. That’s championship hockey, folks… and it shoots the Ice Raiders right to the top of the table to start 2026!

CLEAR CUP RACE IS ON

Three teams qualify for the Clear Cup, and it’s heating up in a hurry. Want to know where everyone stands? Check out the latest CLEAR CUP STANDINGS — totals, exhibition wins, playoff picture — it’s all there!

I’ll tell ya this much — it’s about to get real hot, ladies and gentlemen. See ya at the rink!

Photo @dark_neon_photo