Stowe Slugs Crowned Again, but Chiefs Steal the Spotlight at Jay Peak Playoffs

Jay Peak Resort | April 10–12

Another year, another championship for the Stowe Slugs.

But if you were at Jay Peak this past weekend, you know the real story ran a lot deeper than the final result.

The Catamount Senior Elite League returned to its annual playoff home at Jay Peak Resort from April 10–12, bringing together the league’s best for a weekend of high-intensity hockey, cold beers, and the kind of chaos only men’s league can deliver. While the Slugs once again proved to be the standard taking down the Buckshots in the finals the 2026 playoffs will be remembered for something else:

The rise of the Chiefs.

Chiefs Break Through After 8-Year Drought

For nearly a decade, Sunday hockey was something the Chiefs watched not played in.

That changed this year.

After grinding through the regular season and putting together their most complete weekend in years, the Chiefs not only made it to Sunday, but did so in dominant fashion clinching the #1 seed in the round robin for the first time in franchise history.

It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a fluke.

It was depth, resilience, and a team that finally figured out how to close.

From tight defensive efforts to timely scoring, the Chiefs showed a different identity all weekend. The same group that had struggled with consistency in past seasons flipped the script, putting together a statement performance that turned heads across the league.

Making Sunday might not hang a banner but for this group, it felt like a breakthrough moment that’s been years in the making.

Slugs Stay the Standard

At the top, nothing changes.

The Stowe Slugs once again proved why they’re the league’s dynasty, capturing another championship and continuing their reign over the Catamount league. No matter the opponent, the Slugs find ways to win structured, disciplined, and relentless when it matters most.

They met a tough Buckshots team in the finals and handled business, adding yet another title to their already stacked résumé.

At this point, it’s not a question of if the Slugs will be there at the end it’s who’s going to be able to stop them.

Buckshots Cap Off a Statement Season

While the final didn’t go their way, the Buckshots have nothing to hang their heads about.

This was a team that put together one of the most impressive seasons in the league, combining offensive firepower with strong team play to earn their spot in the championship game. Their run to the finals was no accident, and they’ve firmly established themselves as one of the league’s top contenders moving forward.

More Than Just Hockey

As always, the Jay Peak playoffs delivered more than just what happened on the ice.

From packed locker rooms to late-night condo stories, the annual sandwich runs, and the mix of veterans and newcomers sharing the same ice it’s what makes this weekend the highlight of the Catamount calendar every year.

Looking Ahead

The Slugs remain on top.The Buckshots are knocking on the door.And now the Chiefs have arrived.

If this weekend proved anything, it’s that the gap is closing.

And next year? It might not be so predictable.