The Red River Mudbugs are Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League champions for the second year in a row.

Chris Friesen made 26 saves as Red River defeated the Springfield Xtreme 3-1 Monday night in St. Jean.

The Mudbugs took the best-of-seven final four games to one.

"It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, honestly," said Red River captain Skylar Klassen who scored a pair of power play goals in game five against a very young and very hard working Xtreme team. "They don't stop. They always keep coming and they played a heck of a series. Chris (Friesen) came in tonight and was unstoppable. I think you got to give a lot of credit to him on that one."

Troy Lehmann also potted a power play goal for the Mudbugs.

Parker Perchuk spoiled Friesen's shutout bid when he scored Springfield's lone goal with 2:08 left in the third period.

The Red River netminder had huge praise for his teammates and the job they did in front of him.

"They were unreal," Friesen said. "They cycled the puck really well and fired a lot of shots. I couldn't ask for a lot more from my team."

Xtreme goalie Quinn Walterson stopped 43 of the 46 shots he faced in game five.

"We just told the boys in the room, it was an amazing journey to watch them grow from the early exhibition to taking on a very strong Red River team and push them hard," said Springfield coach Kevin Maslechko. "I'm sure if you ask any Red River player out there, it was a way tougher battle than they anticipated. The best part was it helped our boys understand what it takes to win. The guys that are coming back next year are already talking about what they need to do to get better."

The Mudbugs are the HTJHL's first repeat champion since the Steinbach Huskies won three in a row in 2005, 2006 & 2007.

"There was more pressure on us I feel to win this year than last year," said Red River coach Mike Funk. "It was a more even field as far as the regular season goes. In September when we're putting this team together and starting to call guys - this is what you want to do - you want to be on the ice right now celebrating with everybody. It makes all that hard work worth it. Every championship is great. I would love to do it again next year."