Hijs Hokij Shut Out HYC in Playoff Opener
HYC vs. Hijs Hokij February 27, 2026. Photo credit: Sven Highland.
Written By Gina Anton
DEN HAAG — In a disciplined and hard‑fought playoff matchup on Friday, UltimAir Hijs Hokij secured a 2‑0 victory over Heylen Vastgoed HYC at Sportcentrum De Uithof. The win marked a critical step forward for the Hokij as they push deeper into the playoff bracket, showcasing balanced scoring and defense.
After an evenly contested first period that saw both teams trading chances but failing to break through, UltimAir opened the scoring in the second frame. Forward Matias Mustonen capitalized on a well‑executed offensive sequence, finishing a high‑danger play set up by Bartek Bison and Twanne Haisma to give the Hokij a 1‑0 lead.
The third period saw UltimAir extend their advantage when Cody Monds buried a rebound chance off assists from Wesley de Bruijn and Jay Huisman, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and effectively sealing the outcome. Between the pipes, UltimAir’s goaltender was sharp all night, turning aside everything HYC threw his way for a rare postseason shutout performance.
Physicality defined the game’s closing stages, with both teams picking up a handful of penalties, including roughing and misconduct calls, but UltimAir’s disciplined play in key moments prevented HYC from establishing any sustained pressure.
Playoff Landscape: Who’s Still Standing
As the CEHL moves toward the semifinals, the playoff picture is taking shape with several clubs staking their claims on championship aspirations. After the conclusion of the latest series of games in the 2025‑26 postseason, the standings reflect both expected contenders and surprising outcomes:
Snackpoint Eaters Limburg have emerged as one of the league’s hottest teams, boasting a perfect 2‑0 record through their opening playoff games and outscoring opponents by a combined margin of 7‑2.
EHC Die Bären Neuwied, the top regular‑season finisher, remains a formidable force with a dominant 10‑1 victory in their lone playoff outing.
Liege Bulldogs Ice Hockey sit comfortably in contention with a 1‑1 record and narrow aggregate lead.
UltimAir Hijs Hokij has shown balanced team play after their 2-0 shutout.
Unis Flyers Heerenveen and other mid‑seed clubs remain in the mix, each fighting to extend their season with deeper runs into March.
The balance of power in this year’s CEHL postseason has largely tracked with regular‑season seeding, yet the intensity and unpredictability of playoff hockey mean nothing is guaranteed.
From Regular Season to Playoff Push
Looking back at the full 2025‑26 CEHL regular season, the teams that have risen to the top of the standings have carried that momentum into the playoffs:
EHC Die Bären Neuwied — 52 points
Snackpoint Eaters Limburg — 52 points
UltimAir Hijs Hokij — 40 points
Liege Bulldogs Ice Hockey Club — 38 points
Those point totals translated into playoff positioning that has seen Neuwied and Limburg lead the way, while Hokij and Liege continue to battle as challengers capable of springing surprises.
What’s Next
With the quarterfinals winding down, attention now turns to the semifinal matchups. UltimAir Hijs Hokij will look to build on their defense and depth scoring and continue competing with the league’s best teams. Snackpoint Eaters Limburg, having posted convincing wins so far, appear firmly in the mix for a championship run. Meanwhile, EHC Die Bären Neuwied’s regular‑season dominance makes them a threat to play deep into March.
As the CEHL playoffs unfold, fans can expect an escalation in intensity, physicality, and the kind of thrilling hockey that defines championship‑level competition.
