ALBERT COUNTY — The Albert County Renegade’s season came to a close Friday night after a five-game first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Saint John Kings. Despite a promising Game 1 win, the Renegade were outmatched the rest of the way, falling 4–1 in the best-of-seven series against a playoff-seasoned opponent.
The Renegade opened the series with authority, taking Game 1 in a 4–2 victory. Tim Stutzle was electric with a goal and two assists, Connor McDavid tallied three helpers, and Matthew Boldy netted a pair of goals. But momentum quickly shifted as Saint John stormed back to take the next four games, including an 8–2 rout in Game 2 that exposed Albert County’s defensive depth.
“We came in hungry, and that first game showed what we’re capable of,” said head coach Greg Sullivan. “But Saint John adjusted. They’ve been here before. We didn’t respond with the maturity we needed.”
Lukas Reichel, who had been quietly productive all year, added a key goal in Game 4, while Filip Zadina carried the offensive load in Game 3 with a pair of markers. On the blue line, Owen Power logged major minutes and anchored the defense under pressure, showing leadership well beyond his age.
Looking for a spark, Sullivan brought up two of the Renegade’s most promising prospects: William Eklund and Jesper Wallstedt. Eklund showed flashes of high-end skill in limited minutes, while Wallstedt, one of the ODBHL’s top goaltending prospects, got his first taste of playoff action against a powerhouse offense.
“This is the level I want to be at,” said Eklund. “Even in just a few games, I could feel the speed, the intensity. It's a big step — but one I’m ready to take.”
Wallstedt, who has developed steadily with the CFB Chatham Lynx, handled the pressure admirably despite the odds.
“It’s a different game up here,” Wallstedt admitted. “But getting this opportunity means everything. I’m grateful the organization trusted me.”
Veteran Ryan O’Reilly was also inserted in Game 5 to stabilize the locker room and bring playoff experience, but the Kings closed out the series with a clinical 5–2 win. Albert County’s playoff inexperience ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Series Recap:
Game 1 (W 4–2): Stutzle (1G, 2A), Boldy (2G), McDavid (3A)
Game 2 (L 2–8): Eichel, Boldy (1G each)
Game 3 (L 2–3): Zadina (2G)
Game 4 (L 1–2): Reichel (1G)
Game 5 (L 2–5): Johansson, Hughes (1G each)
GM John Nason reflected on another early exit for the franchise, but noted the bigger picture remains bright.
“We’ve made the playoffs in seven of our twelve seasons,” Nason said. “But we need to break through. That means developing our young core and staying disciplined with our cap. We have some cornerstones already here — Stutzle, Boldy, Reichel, and Power — and the next wave with Eklund and Wallstedt is right behind them. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
Indeed, Tim Stutzle continues to emerge as a franchise leader, and Boldy has become one of the most dynamic scorers on the roster. With Power stabilizing the blue line and Reichel proving clutch in key moments, the Renegade’s foundation is forming.
“We learned a lot this series,” said Coach Sullivan. “The next step is figuring out how to win when it matters. We’ll take that into next season.”
5/3/2025 - 538 words
