Rhewn Rallies: STLCC’s National Champion Storms Back for 3–1 Victory in NJCAAE Week 1 Hearthstone Match
NJCAAE | Week 1 | Hearthstone Match Date: February 17, 2026 Players: STLCC — Benjamin “Rhewn” Barmak vs. SLCC — AlanDD In his first appearance since winning the Fall 2025 National Championship, Benjamin “Rhewn” Barmak opened the Spring 2026 season with a determined 3–1 comeback victory over Salt Lake Community College’s AlanDD. After dropping the opening game, Rhewn locked in, tightened his reads, and delivered three straight wins to claim the series and start the NJCAAE season 1–0.
Match Overview
- Final Score: STLCC Rhewn 3 – 1 SLCC AlanDD
- Format: Best‑of‑5 (Conquest)
- Bans:
- STLCC banned Whizbang
- SLCC banned Hunter
- Protected Decks:
- STLCC protected Warrior
- SLCC protected Warlock
Deck Lineups
SLCC – AlanDD
Priest:
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Death Knight:
AAECAfHhBA7WoASg1ASH9gSI9gT/yQaq4QbU5QbV5QakiAekkge8lAeilweBrgfksQcIkOQEsvcEs/cErqEF/7oG1uUG1+UG4/EGAAA=
Warlock (Protected):
AAECAf0GHoWgBJegBOegBKDUBKXUBMrrBcL4BcmeBpazBuLmBujmBpvyBoD4Bt+CB8OHB8WSB/qVB4ilB4mlB4qlB5GlB5OlB5SlB5WlB5alB5elB5qlB6WtB6itB5iwBwWxnwSCoASf1ASj1ASCrgcAAA==
Whizbang (Banned):
AAECAa0GAfOyBgAAAA==
STLCC – Benjamin "Rhewn" Barmak
Warrior (Protected):
AAECAcLbBAzHpAbVugaOvwb6yQb0ygai4gaq6gbujwfUlwfblweCmAfKqwcJiKAEiaAEjtQEh6AG88oGsOIGtpQH6qcH/K8HAAED9bMGx6QG97MGx6QG7t4Gx6QGAAA=
Hunter (Banned):
AAECAbv5Aw7HpAa9vgan0wbi4waq6gap9QaSgwfDgwfblweCmAeZpweapwebpwfFsQcIqZ8E054Gwr4Ghr8GzsAG0MAGleIGresGAAED9bMGx6QG97MGx6QG7t4Gx6QGAAA=
Warlock:
AAECAeL5AwbHuAaTywbvjwf1mAfsmwfXnQcMj58EsZ8EkaAE56AExJ4G054GibUGlMoG64QHqYgHhJkH4J0HAAA=
Shaman:
AAECAZyrBAqvnwSAoATHpAaopQbUpQat4QaCmAfbpgffpgflpgcKqKcGgbgGw74GhL8GzsAG0MAG2cAG0dAG5pYHvLEHAAED9bMGx6QG97MGx6QG7t4Gx6QGAAA=
Player Spotlight: Rhewn's Champion‑Level Composure
- Calm response after early deficit
- Strong sequencing across multiple archetypes
- Controlled pacing in value matchups
- Adaptation mid‑series to SLCC's deck tendencies
Rhewn's three‑game streak displayed the form expected from a defending national champion.
Week 2 Matchup Preview — February 24 at 7 PM
The Spring 2026 season continues on Monday, February 24th at 7:00 PM, when Benjamin "Rhewn" Barmak faces another Salt Lake Community College competitor: "Anarchy."
With a 1–0 start and a strong comeback win in Week 1, Rhewn enters Week 2 with momentum and an opportunity to build toward an early-season winning streak.
PlayVS Match Page:
https://outlook.office.com/host/b5abf2ae-c16b-4310-8f8a-d3bcdb52f162/entity1-d870f6cd-4aa5-4d42-9626-ab690c041429
Watch Live at 7 PM on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/stlcc_esports
Fans are invited to tune in and support the reigning National Champion as he continues his Spring NJCAAE campaign.