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By Mat Barrett

Two Horse Race

Mustangs feeling good heading into home and home set with Broncos

Oct 22, 2021 | 9:54 AM

The Melfort Mustangs are no longer in first place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), however it’s to no fault of their own.

The Flin Flon Bombers have played two more games than the Mustangs, and lead by one point heading into the weekend. Melfort will try and take their perch back atop the league as they meet the Humboldt Broncos in a home and home set starting on Friday.

The Mustangs haven’t played since Saturday, a 5-0 win over Weyburn, and Captain Ben Tkachuk’s said the team is feeling good after getting a chance this week to refresh the bodies and bond as a team. He said Humboldt is another big test as the Mustangs know there’s a target on their back with the hot start to the season.

“Just important for us to bring our A-Game every night,” Tkachuk said. “Come out fast, just keep it going and make a run for it.”

The Mustangs are currently 9-2-0-1, holding the best win percentage in the SJHL, and the least goals against per-game in the league. Offensively, it’s been Tkachuk leading the way. He was recently named forward of the week in the SJHL and sits tied for seventh in league scoring. Brayden Koch was named defenceman of the week after a stellar opening weekend in a Mustangs jersey, scoring once and adding two assists in two games.

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For the Broncos, they’re currently third in the SJHL with 16 points and an 8-4-0-0 record. Offensively, the Broncos are led by the duo of Connor McGrath and Alec Saretzky who are first and tied for second in league scoring with 19 and 16 points respectively. Logan Kurki also leads the league in points-per-game at 1.78.

When the puck drops on Friday, it’ll have been 654 days since the two last played a regular season game in the SJHL. However, they did meet twice in preseason action, where it was a heated battle. Tkachuk said he expects more of the same this weekend.

“It’s going to be physical, it’s going to be fun,” he said. “Hopefully the Palace is pumping on Friday.”

The series opens on Friday night in Melfort followed by the teams meeting on Saturday in Humboldt. Saturday’s game can be heard on 105CJVR with Mat Barrett. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

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mat.barrett@melfortmustangs.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6