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The Pioneers wrapped up their only two home games of December with an exciting and memorable weekend on home ice.
The weekend kicked off Friday night as the Pioneers hosted the Woodstock Slammers. The opening period was tightly contested and nearly scoreless until the Slammers broke through late, taking a 1–0 lead into the first intermission.
That early deficit didn’t slow the Pioneers down. Coming out strong in the second period, #19 O. Eckdahl set up #7 K. Matushak, who found his twin, #8 Grant Matushak, at the net to even the score at 1–1. Less than a minute later, #17 Ro connected with #13 Ward, who then fed #34 Gough for a goal that gave the Pioneers a 2–1 lead.
The Slammers responded late in the second period with two goals of their own, sending the teams into the second intermission with Woodstock leading 3–2.
The Pioneers elevated their pace in the third period. #6 Huyber found #13 Ward, who once again connected with #34 Gough to tie the game at 3–3. With time winding down, #18 Jarvis set up #7 K. Matushak, who connected with #8 Grant Matushak for the go-ahead goal to make it 4–3.
The drama wasn’t over yet. With just 30 seconds remaining, the Slammers tied the game at 4–4, forcing overtime. Goaltender #1 Murat Shiyanov stood tall in the extra frame, stopping every shot he faced and keeping the game alive. Overtime ended scoreless, sending the game to a shootout.
Shiyanov remained in net while #13 Ward, #8 Grant Matushak, and captain #16 Ashton Adams stepped up to shoot. Woodstock scored once, while Ward narrowly missed his attempt. Shiyanov responded by shutting the door on the Slammers’ next shooter, and Grant Matushak buried his shot to tie the shootout. With everything on the line, Shiyanov made one final clutch save before Adams sealed the win with a confident finish.
Stars of the game were #1 Murat Shiyanov, #8 Grant Matushak, and #16 Ashton Adams.
Sunday night featured the Pioneers’ Teddy Bear Toss game against the St. Stephen County Moose. The Pioneers came out strong defensively, allowing just one Moose goal in the first period to trail 1–0 at intermission.
Midway through the second period, #33 Levins found #9 Heron, who fired the puck into the net to tie the game at 1–1. That goal triggered the Teddy Bear Toss, with more than 80 teddy bears flying onto the ice and being donated to Catholic Charities, keeping the energy high inside the rink.
Fueled by the crowd, the Pioneers continued to battle through the rest of the second period and deep into the third with goalkeeper #35 Kolari blocked every shot taken on him. The game-winning moment came when #6 Huyber slipped the puck past the Moose goaltender, securing a 2–1 victory.
Stars of the game were #35 Juluis Kolari, #6 Jack Huyber, and #9 Jacob Heron.
With those wins, the Pioneers closed out their home schedule for 2025. While December home games are complete, the excitement is just getting started—January 2026 brings nine home games, promising even more energy, goals, and fun at the rink.