The Springfield Xtreme are Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League champions for the first time in team history.

Quinn Walterson stopped all 27 shots he faced as Springfield shutout the Red River Mudbugs 3-0 Sunday night in Oakbank.

The Xtreme took the best-of-seven final four games to two.

"We worked so hard throughout the year," said Walterson during the post-game celebration. "I just can't believe we made it this far."

Springfield had to go the distance with Mitchell before eliminating the last place Mohawks in round one and then swept the Steinbach Huskies in four straight games in the semifinals.

The final with the Mudbugs was another battle.

"We all came together as a unit," said Xtreme captain Jesse Mitchell. "We're all a bunch of guys who are easy to get along with. We bonded and meshed together, no matter what happened. No matter who was in the lineup. There were ups and downs. We bonded and figured it out together and figured it out tonight."

Springfield coach Kevin Augustine was elated that his veteran players finished their HTJHL careers as champions.

"It's an unbelievable feeling for the guys that have been here four years," said Augustine. "This is what they wanted. We took it step by step. It was not easy. There was nothing about this that was easy. In the end we came out on top. It's just a great feeling."

Riley Welsh scored a pair of goals in game six.

Colin Poitras had the other Springfield goal.

"This program has gone through a lot," said Welsh. "It's a big win for coach Augustine. He helps us out so much and it means a lot to us."

The two teams who met in the final also battled tooth-and-nail during the regular season schedule for top spot and home ice advantage in the playoffs.

As it turned out, it was Springfield's 3-2 victory over Red River in St. Jean in game one of the final that ended up being the difference in the series.

Mudbugs coach Mike Funk says his team will learn from their disappointing finish, just like the Xtreme did when they lost out to the Lorette Comets in the final one year ago.

"We're only losing three guys next year so the intent is to have the core of the group back," said Funk. "They'll remember this experience. It's something that you never want to have to go through but you can use it as a teaching moment and for us, I think that's going to be the goal. We revisit this feeling - how did it feel like to watch the other team hoist the Cup and use that as a motivator not just in the playoffs next year but throughout the course of the season."