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(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)
Two Horse Race

Mustangs and Broncos go five rounds in fifth meeting of the season

Jan 18, 2020 | 5:43 AM

The fifth regular season Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) meeting between the Humboldt Broncos and Melfort Mustangs did not disappoint on Friday at the Northern Lights Palace in Melfort.

The game was decided in overtime for the third time this season, and it ended in a 5-4 shootout win for the visiting Broncos.

The Mustangs dominated the scoreboard early and jumped out to a 3-0 lead after just 25 minutes had expired in the contest. Isaac Alvarado and Andrew Hunt scored their first goals as the Mustangs led in the first period. Alvarado tacked on another in the second.

Braiden Koran and Karter McNarland scored for Humboldt in the second to bring them back within one heading to the third 3-2.

Tian Rask made things 4-2 just over a minute-and-a-half into the period to bring the Mustang lead back to two, but the Broncos were not going down without a fight. Koran and Logan Kurki scored just 20 seconds apart to tie the game, creating a photo finish.

Both teams went back and forth late in the third, but neither could get one by the goalies. Each club also had their fair share of chances in overtime, but once again, neither team was able to tickle the twine.

That led us to the shootout where nobody scored until round four when Ben Tkachuk beat Brendan Forman, giving the Mustangs a 1-0 lead in the shootout. Karter McNarland tied it for Humboldt in round four. That was followed by Kenzie Arnold who missed on his chance in round five. Then it was Kurki who beat Martin for the Broncos, giving them the victory.

The Mustangs fall to 22-14-3-2 on the year, while Humboldt is now 20-16-4-2. They meet again on Saturday in Humboldt.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6