PARK CITY BEST RENO TO WIN INAUGURAL MHL WINTER CLASSIC

Sometimes in hockey, you just have to step back and say, “That’s something special”

This past weekend, the Mountain Hockey League proudly hosted its first-ever Winter Classic in Midway, Utah, as neighboring league leaders the Reno Ice Raiders traveled south to face the Park City Pioneers for a highly anticipated two-game showdown.

Night One – BlackRock Event Center

Friday’s opener took place indoors at the brand-new Black Rock Event Center, a state-of-the-art facility the Pioneers now proudly call home.

The contest was intense from puck drop to final horn, with a combined 58 penalty minutes underscoring the rivalry between these two clubs. There was no shortage of physicality and no love lost. Despite the heated battle, the Pioneers pulled away late to secure a 6–3 victory. Trey Dodd and Yuri Ushkov each recorded three-point nights, leading the charge in an electric team performance.

Night Two – The Winter Classic in Midway

Saturday was the main event.

As the sun dipped behind the Wasatch peaks, fans gathered in Midway for the MHL’s first outdoor Winter Classic — a historic moment for the league. The game sold out weeks in advance, a testament to the excitement surrounding this milestone.

Set against the stunning Utah Rockies, the atmosphere was unforgettable. The game itself proved calmer than the night before (perhaps inspired by the mountain setting!) but the outcome was familiar. The Pioneers delivered another commanding performance, defeating the Ice Raiders 6–2 to sweep the weekend series.

A Landmark Weekend

The MHL extends its sincere thanks to the Park City Pioneers organization for hosting an exceptional event and creating a truly memorable weekend for players and fans alike. We are honored to support such a landmark occasion in Senior A hockey in the United States.

Thank you as well to the Reno Ice Raiders for their competitive spirit and for helping make the weekend such a thrilling showcase.

We look forward to many more Winter Classics in the years ahead.

Around the League

With Reno unable to collect exhibition points over the weekend, second-place Santa Rosa Growlers now have an opportunity to gain ground as they prepare for their own exhibition series against the Chicago Misfits.

Meanwhile, the Ice Raiders return home for league action against the Breckenridge Vipers in what promises to be another action-packed weekend in the MHL.

Updated standings below.