(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Off to the showcase

Mustangs victim to late Hawks comeback, fall 4-3 in overtime

Nov 12, 2023 | 2:06 PM

The Melfort Mustangs squandered a late, two-goal, third-period Saturday night, as they fell 4-3 in overtime to the Nipawin Hawks.

The matchup was the first of six meetings between these two bitter rivals, as physicality and late-game dramatics led the way.

In total, there were 131 penalty minutes on the night, to go along with three goals in the last roughly eight and a half minutes.

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, none of those goals belonged to them.

“I felt like we dictated that whole game, to be honest, I mean you’re working in every zone and it just comes down to some little bounces that didn’t go our way,” said Stangs’ assistant coach, Tye Scherger.

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“It just comes down to penalties and discipline, a call here or there, and it can just go either way in this barn.”

Braxton Buckberger had two goals on the evening for the Hawks, which included a late shorthanded goal in the first period (15 seconds left) to open the scoring, as well as the overtime winner just 24 seconds into the extra frame.

Thankfully for Melfort, they will get to see these Hawks very soon, as both teams will meet up next weekend at the Northern Lights Palace and likely continue their bad blood.

“Ever since I’ve played here, the rivalry has been huge, every game you’re gonna get that high-praise physicality every night,” Scherger added.

“We never want to lose to our rival, so next game we’ll be fired up and coming out hard.”

A couple of games will separate that next matchup for these two clubs, as both will now head to Warman for the SJHL Showcase to play a pair of contests.

Scherger explained the event is always a great opportunity for the players and their future.

“Stoked to see the kids and obviously it’s great to show the scouts what they can do and it’s a good opportunity for everyone,” he told northeastNOW.

The Blue and Green will play the Notre Dame Hounds on Tuesday, and the Yorkton Terriers on Wednesday.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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