The Melfort Mustangs wrap up a 3 game home stand tonight when the Battlefords North Stars come to town. It’s the third meeting of the season between the teams and first to be played in Melfort. The Mustangs have a slight lead in the season series with a win and an OT loss.
The Mustangs come into tonight’s game having won 2 straight in convincing fashion over La Ronge and Flin Flon. With a 6-3 win over La Ronge and a 6-0 win over Flin Flon, the Mustang offence has started to find it’s groove with 12 goals on the weekend. With AP goalie Tanner Martin getting his first SJHL start and win on Friday, as well as Noah Giesbrecht picking up his first SJHL shutout on Saturday. The Mustangs have possibly started to find their game defensively as well. The 6-0 win over Flin Flon may also be the most impressive win of the season. The Mustangs sit 1 point back of Battlefords and Flin Flon and with a win tonight could leapfrog both teams right into 4th place in the standings.
The Battlefords North Stars come into tonight’s game also riding a 2 game win streak. They beat Melville 3-2 in OT and and Yorkton 9-1 on the road this weekend. The 9-1 win over Yorkton might be the most lopsided win in the SJHL this season. The North Stars have been one of the most consistent teams this season and have been right in the thick of the playoffs all year. They currently sit two points back of division leading Kindersley and could pull into a tie with them with a win tonight. Led by Macgregor Sinclair(22 goals, 31 assists), Matthias Urbanski(17 Goals, 22 Assists) and Joel Gryzbowski(18-11-5-2, 2.60 GAA, .914 Sv %) between the pipes, the North Stars have some familiar faces from last year’s team that lost in the SJHL Semi Finals.
The Mustangs have had a slight advantage in the season series. With an OT loss, 3-2, on Sept 20th, and a 4-1 win, on Nov 13th, the Mustangs have a single point advantage in the season series. A regulation win in either of the last two contests for the Mustangs would give them the season series. The two teams meet tonight in Melfort and again on Feb 16th at the Palace.
Tonight’s game begins at 7:30pm at the Northern Lights Palace. There will be no radio broadcast so you’ll have to make it to the rink to catch the game. Following tonight the Mustangs are in Flin Flon on Saturday to play the Bombers!
Photo Credit: Ryan Booth Photography
