The Melfort Mustangs will head out on the road tonight as they begin a critical 4 games stretch heading into the Christmas Break. The schedule ahead sees back to back, home and home weekends, with Humboldt followed by Nipawin.
Tonight the Mustangs travel to Humboldt for their 2nd meeting of the season with the Broncos, first in Humboldt. The Mustangs and Broncos sit neck and neck in the SJHL Standings as the Broncos made a huge push in November and took over top spot in the SJHL for some time. Now they’re 4-5-1-0 in their last 10 and have almost surrendered top spot in Global Ag Risk Solutions Division, as well as top spot overall in the SJHL. The Broncos sit a point up on Kindersley, while the Klippers have 3 games in hand. For Humboldt its a big weekend heading into Christmas if they’d like to keep top spot, especially playing against a close rival in the Melfort Mustangs.
For the Mustangs, they will be looking to leapfrog the Humboldt Broncos this weekend as well as division rival Nipawin. The Mustangs sit 1 point back of Humboldt as well as 3 points back of Nipawin, with multiple games in hand on both teams. Although Melfort is 1-2-1-0 in their last 4, the Mustangs are still 11-2-1-0 over 14 games and have been playing some of their best hockey of the season in November and December.
The biggest story this weekend surrounding these teams will be the return of Drew Warkentine. Warkentine played 36 games with the Mustangs last year and picked up 31 points. He also had 2 points in 4 playoff games. This season he has 9 goals in 10 games with the Broncos and has proven why he is a top point producer in the SJHL. He meets his former team for the first time tonight, his return to Melfort goes tomorrow.
Season Series Head to Head Humboldt – Melfort:
Oct 26 2018, Humboldt -2 @ Melfort -3 OT
Dec 14 2018, Melfort @ Humboldt
Dec 15 2018, Humboldt @ Melfort
Jan 18 2019, Humboldt @ Melfort
Jan 19 2019, Melfort @ Humboldt
Feb 22 2019, Melfort @ Humboldt
Standings:
| Sherwood Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SL | PTS |
| Nipawin Hawks | 33 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 47 |
| Melfort Mustangs | 31 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 44 |
| Flin Flon Bombers | 29 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 38 |
| La Ronge Ice Wolves | 33 | 7 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Global Ag Risk Solutions Div. | GP | W | L | OTL | SL | PTS |
| Humboldt Broncos | 35 | 21 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 45 |
| Kindersley Klippers | 32 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 44 |
| Battlefords North Stars | 33 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 42 |
| Notre Dame Hounds | 36 | 14 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 34 |
| Viterra Division | GP | W | L | OTL | SL | PTS |
| Yorkton Terriers | 30 | 18 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 37 |
| Estevan Bruins | 35 | 15 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 32 |
| Melville Millionaires | 32 | 10 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
| Weyburn Red Wings | 31 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on CK750 with Mat Barrett at 7:30pm. Pre game show begins at 7:30pm. Following tonight’s game the Mustangs and Broncos meet in Melfort tomorrow! It’s Teddy Bear Toss at the Northern Lights Palace so don’t forget to bring a new Teddy Bear for donation to the Salvation Army and their Christmas Hampers. Also, Rod Pederson will be in Melfort for a book signing of the new “Heart and Soul of the SJHL” book. That begins at 5pm.
Photo Credit: Broad Leaf Media
