by Mike Rosenberg

Skyler Stewart, who was teased earlier in the tournament with a Feature Match call that did not actually end up in the coverage, finally gets his real feature this time around. He is playing Grand Crusader, a similar design to the Ooga Booga deck from Worlds (plus some VanCleef family action,) whereas his opponent, SoCal native John Patchell (nickname "Patch",) is representing the green team with Hogger.

Skyler won the roll and decided to go first. Skyler immediately took his mulligan, while John immediately kept. Skyler led with a Stashed Cairne, Earthmother's Chosen and Rosalyne von Erantor. John played a turn 1 Twilight Citadel, and used Furious Strike to dispose of Rosalyne. Skyler rebuilt with Telor Sunsurge and Bronze Warden, while John added Etched Dragonbone Girdle to his field.

John drew, then attacked with his allies, putting John to 7 damage. He passed with no action, stuck on a hand with Edwin VanCleef, Vanessa VanCleef, and Mazu'kon. John used another Furious Strike to get rid of Skyler's Bronze Warden, and then a Bronze Warden of his own healed him for 3. He placed a resource and passed back to Skyler, who played Edwin VanCleef on his fourth turn.

John used Heroic Leap to exhaust Telor Sunsurge and one of the Defias Thugs, while Bronze Warden took out the other Thug token. John drew two by destroying his Warden to the Girdle, and then he placed and completed Challenge to the Black Flight for another card. Skyler sent his allies in and then passed without placing a resource. John played Sorrow's End, revealing Bottled Spite. He used it to take out Edwin, but Skyler had Vanessa VanCleef in hand to put into play, nailing John's hero for a surprise 4 nature damage.

Skyler readied up and made his attacks, pushing John's hero to 26 damage. He played Bottled Light to bring back Bronze Warden, then played Etched Dragonbone Girdle before passing his turn. John used his Twilight Citadel and Girdle to draw two. When he found nothing that could save him, he offered the handshake.

Skyler Stewart wins the match!