By Mat Barrett

Melfort Mustangs

Mustangs quick out of the gate in win over Kindersley

Feb 14, 2019 | 10:38 AM

It’s been five wins in a row for the Melfort Mustangs in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The Mustangs defeated the Kindersley Klippers 6-3 on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Northern Lights Palace in Melfort, ending a Kindersley win streak that lasted five games. Forward George King said a quick start was huge in the game.

“The team looked good right from off the start,” King told northeastNOW. “We had a good start on these guys. I thought the whole first period we just owned them, they couldn’t get anything going. So, that’s great to see especially from us and seeing us play the way we can.”

The Mustangs got a goal from Justin Ball just 21 seconds into the game to open the scoring, his 48^th of the season to make it 1-0. However, the Klippers responded quickly with a goal from Caden Benson about two minutes later. King got a shorthanded goal for the Mustangs to restore the lead about two and a half minutes later. Carson Albrecht, along with King added goals later in the period, and the Mustangs were up 4-1 after the first period of play. King said their first period was important.

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“I think it’s really important,” King said. “When you’re playing a team that’s high up in the standings in their division like Kindersley, I think getting a good start is everything honestly. It just gives you that leg up on them, kind of brings down their confidence a bit, and you’re able to work from their going into the second and third.”

Kindersley made it 4-2 in the second as they got out to a good start. The Mustangs weathered the storm though, as another goal wasn’t scored until just over a minute remained in the period. Jake Hobson notched his tenth of the season for Melfort to restore the three-goal cushion.

The Klippers got off to another quick start in the third period, scoring 23 seconds in, courtesy of Noah Bankowski. The Mustangs continued to weather the Klipper storm and were able to get the see-saw tipping back to their advantage as Justin Ball scored with just over five minutes to play in the game for his 49^th goal of the season, making it 6-3 Melfort.

The win moves the Mustangs to 31-15-4-0 (66 points), good for fifth place when it comes to playoff positioning. Melfort’s next game is Saturday, Feb. 16 when the Battleford North Stars are in town.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6