(Photo courtesy/Hana Grace)

By Ben Tompkins

Exhibition Over

Mustangs sweep Broncos, end preseason with back-to-back victories

Sep 18, 2023 | 8:48 AM

The Melfort Mustangs ended their 2023 preseason on a high note this weekend, taking both games of a home and home series against their non-division rivals.

“I think we’re feeling pretty good now to get two wins against Humboldt,” said Mustangs defenceman Leith Olafson following their second victory.

Those Humboldt Broncos came to Melfort Friday night to face the previously winless Mustangs and it looked like that losing streak would continue midway through the final frame.

The Stangs, however, ended up scoring twice in the final eight and a half minutes of the third period, tying the game up with just 28 seconds, courtesy of David Rioux.

That pushed a 3-3 game to overtime, where the blue and green captured their first exhibition victory on a penalty shot, thanks to Logan Belton.

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After defending their home ice at the Northern Lights Palace, Melfort then travelled to the Elgar Petersen Arena to try and conquer the green and gold on the road.

Saturday night presented a similar challenge as the Mustangs were down entering the final period, however, tied it up at two, nearly five minutes in.

The game then wouldn’t see another goal until 12 seconds left in overtime, where Melfort defeated the Broncos off the stick of David Rioux.

It was the second night in a row that Humboldt lost in extra time, via 3-on-3.

“I think it’s a good stepping stone beating Humboldt, as they’re always one of our rivals. Although it’s preseason, they’re still hard, heavy, fast games and beating them means a lot to us even in preseason,” added Olafson.

“We’re still missing a few of our key pieces, but I think we’re still coming together pretty well as a team.”

As mentioned, Melfort was 0 and 3 in exhibition games entering the weekend series, but ended up finishing with a 2-3 record overall.

The Mustangs had been using a ton of new guys in their lineups, both to help determine their regular reason roster, as well as to give guys like James Venne, Zac Somers, Ryan Duguay, Aidyn Hutchinson and more some early rest.

“So, even with missing our guys and still coming out with a few wins, it’s big for the confidence, and I think that’ll help us moving forward,” Olafson told northeastNOW.

“Lots of our new guys are fitting in well and taking on bigger roles with lots of our guys missing right now, so hopefully, they can carry it into the regular season and help us move towards our goals.”

Those goals are likely a playoff run, as the club is now just four days away from their home opener on Friday, against the visiting La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Olafson explained it will likely be an early season test as his group were the ones to end their year, back in the spring.

“They probably got a chip on their shoulder from last season there but they’re always a tough club to play. First game at home is nice though, so we can kind of get our home-ice advantage first. I think it’ll be a good game and I think come Friday, we’ll be ready to roll.”

Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8