Mustangs, North Stars set to battle in Canalta Cup Finals

“We kept with it, we never got frustrated, responded when we had to,” Blevins told northeastNOW. “Obviously special teams was a big factor, our penalty kill was phenomenal.”

The Mustangs were a perfect 25 for 25 on the kill through the series, including going five for five in game six. Blevins added at times they may have not been the best team, but they found ways to win hockey games.

“I thought our guys did an excellent job in just willing it, and lots of character, and really played their hearts out every night,” he said. “That’s what was most impressive.”

As for preparation for the North Stars, Blevins said they are really going to have to fight hard.

“They’ve got a lot of experience up front,” Blevins said. “They’ve also got size, speed. And on their back end they’ve got some guys that are really top end too with [Cody] Spagrud, and [Matthew] Fletcher, and then the rest are pretty steady with size. They’ve got a big core of defence, so we’re going to have to pay the price down low to win battles in the offensive zone.”

In the regular season series, the Mustangs won three of their four meetings, and their only loss came on September 20 — a 4-3 loss in overtime.

The North Stars are coming off a sweep of the Yorkton Terriers in the semifinals, shutting out the Terriers in the final three games on the series.

Battlefords is looking for their second title in three seasons, while the Mustangs are looking for their third in five seasons. However, Blevins said he isn’t looking too far ahead.

“We’re going to focus on game one,” Blevins said. “We know it’ll be special. Really you can’t describe that. But we can’t worry about that right now or focus in on that. For me, its shift one of game one and make sure we’re prepared and put the work in.”

Games three and four of the series will go on Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17 back in Melfort at the Northern Lights Palace.

By the Numbers

Melfort Mustangs	Playoff Stats	Battlefords North Stars
6-0-0	Home Record	5-0-1
2-2-1	Away Record	3-1-1
35 (3.18 per game)	Goals For	31 (2.82 per game)
23 (2.09 per game)	Goals Against	18 (1.64 per game)
17.4 per cent (8/46)	Powerplay	21.4 per cent (9/42)
92.7 per cent (38/41)	Penalty Kill	88.9 per cent (48/54)

Battle Between the Pipes

Both teams have been lead through the playoffs by the play of their goaltenders. For the Melfort Mustangs, 19-year-old Noah Giesbrecht had the bulk of the minutes, and the trade deadline acquisition was tremendous since coming over on January 10. Giesbrecht posted an 8-1 record in the playoffs to go along with a 1.99 goals against average (17 goals allowed), and a .941 save percentage. He also made a game changing save in game six of the series against Estevan (see below).

Here it is. Noah Giesbrecht’s save that everyone is talking about! Unbelievable! #SJHL @theSJHL #Mustangs @TSN_Sports @Sportsnet @BarDown pic.twitter.com/eE9BEC2eYO

— Melfort Mustangs (@SJHL_Mustangs) April 8, 2019

Noah Giesbrecht made a tremendous save in the third period, right near the end of a powerplay for the Estevan Bruins. Justin Ball scored a few minutes later to give Melfort the lead.

As for the man behind the mask in North Battleford, Joel Grzybowski has been sensational for the Stars. In 11 games in the playoffs, the 20-year-old has an 8-1-2 record, a 1.40 goals against average (17 goals allowed), and a .959 save percentage, as well as four shutouts. He is also carrying a shutout streak of 198 minutes into game one of the finals after not allowing a goal in the final three games of their series with Yorkton.

Games three and four of the series take place on Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17 in Melfort at the Northern Lights Palace.

Every Mustang playoff game can be heard on CK750 with Bourault Industries SJHL Playoff Hockey getting underway at 7:15 p.m.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6

by Mat Barrett

Mustangs, North Stars set to battle in Canalta Cup Finals

By the Numbers

Battle Between the Pipes

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