SNOW STORMS AND HONOURS EVEN THIS PAST WEEKEND

Alright folks, lace ’em up and grab the big coat because winter hockey is here and the MHL is absolutely cookin’. Mid-January, two big series, and the race to the Clear Cup? Oh baby, it’s gettin’ REAL.

FRIDAY NIGHT HOCKEY

Santa Rosa Growlers 5 – Reno Ice Raiders 7
Mansfield Barracudas 4 – Breckenridge Vipers 1

Let’s start in Texas. The Breckenridge Vipers roll into Lone Star country short-benched — 12 skaters, folks. That’s it. That’s not a roster, that’s a tough night in Texas! They strike first though. Big Justin Elmore, bang! but after that? All Barracudas. Four unanswered goals over the final two periods, Will Vasil pots two, and the Cudas just out-muscle ’em. Hard work, straight lines, no nonsense. That’s Texas hockey, boys. Mansfield climbs into third place. Kickin’ ass in Texas — love it.

Now buckle up, because Sonoma County was a barn burner.

Reno vs Santa Rosa. One vs Two. The biggest, meanest rivalry in the MHL, and they didn’t disappoint. Twelve goals. Forty-plus penalty minutes. And the lead changed hands FIVE TIMES. That’s not a game, that’s a classic!

Egan Wolford for Santa Rosa — holy smokes — three goals, playing out of his skin. That’s how you do it, kid. But Reno? Relentless. After 40 minutes they grab the lead, then slam in three unanswered in the third. Ice Raiders take Round One 7–5. Game of the year. See ya tomorrow.

SATURDAY NIGHT MAYHEM

Santa Rosa Growlers 5 – Reno Ice Raiders 1
Mansfield Barracudas vs Breckenridge Vipers — CANCELED

Santa Rosa comes back angry. Home barn packed. You knew it was coming. Conway and Petrus? Two goals EACH.When it matters, the big boys show up. Reno gets one back. Ivanov with a beauty but the Growlers keep their heads, play smart, and shut it down.

Despite the Raiders throwing the body all night, Santa Rosa walks out 5–1 winners. Home fans love it. And guess what? Nobody pulls away at the top. That’s parity, folks. That’s hockey.

And then… SNOW. IN. TEXAS. I don’t like it. I don’t trust it. But there it is. Snowstorms shut down Game 2 between Mansfield and Breckenridge. No Hockey Saturdays are the worst — absolute tragedy. Still, after three games this season, Mansfield takes the edge in the series.

CLEAR CUP RACE — HERE WE GO

Three teams punch tickets to the Clear Cup, and the picture is getting clearer by the minute. ONE POINT separates Reno and Santa Rosa at the top, and Mansfield muscles their way into third.

This thing is wide open, folks. Hits, goals, snowstorms — this league’s got it all. That’s MHL hockey. Keep your head up and your stick on the ice.