(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Melfort Mustangs

Mustangs fall in feisty regular season finale with Bombers

Mar 6, 2019 | 9:05 AM

The regular season finale for the Melfort Mustangs did not go as planned.

The Mustangs fell 3-1 to their division rival Flin Flon Bombers on Tuesday, March. 5 on the road in what was a physical one, especially in the first period.

A total of 18 minutes of penalties were handed out in the first period, but the Bombers were the only ones able to score on their powerplay opportunities. Nate Hooper scored at even strength about five minutes into the game, but that was followed up by Brandson Hein getting a little bit of help from the Whitney Forum boards on the powerplay. Hein’s shot from the high slot deflected off the glass, off Shawn Parkinson’s back, and into the Mustang net to make it 2-0 after two periods.

The physical play continued into the second period, but without as many penalties. Less penalties, and less goals were found in the period as neither team could tickle the twine. Flin Flon dominated the shot clock through two periods, leading 26-9. Parkinson stood tall for the Mustangs as he stopped 24 shots through the first two frames.

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In the third period, the Mustangs came out with a bit more fire, getting more shots, and more traffic towards Bomber netminder Gabreil Waked. They were rewarded on the powerplay as Colin Schmidt grabbed a rebound at the side of the net and beat Waked for his 26th goal of the season, sitting him third on the team in goals. The Mustangs comeback was spoiled just over two minutes later as Nate Hooper had a point shot go off his leg and into the Mustang net to make it 3-1. Melfort continued to press but could not beat Waked again.

Melforts loss, complied with other Tuesday results, has Melfort in the fourth seed when it comes to playoff positioning. Their opponent was also decided on Tuesday night as the Kindersley Klippers fell in overtime to the Battlefords North Stars. That game allowed Battlefords to claim the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division title, and give Kindersley a first round date with Melfort. The Nipawin Hawks also defeated Melville last night, giving Nipawin first place overall, and the Sherwood Division crown. Melvilles loss eliminated them from the playoff race, and even though they lost to Yorkton, gave the Weyburn Red Wings the final playoff spot, and a matchup with Flin Flon in the survivor series.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6