The Melfort Mustangs faceoff against the Notre Dame Hounds for the third period of their 2023 SJHL Showcase matchup (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Day 2

Mustangs, Ice Wolves, Broncos in action for first Showcase games

Nov 14, 2023 | 12:12 PM

The Melfort Mustangs, La Ronge Ice Wolves and Humboldt Broncos will all begin their 2023 SJHL Showcase on day two.

The Mustangs started day two off with a battle against the Notre Dame Hounds, which began at 10:30 a.m.

According to Melfort’s head coach, Trevor Blevins, while it is a showcase, you do still have to stay within your limits.

“It’s always fun when it’s a little different venue and different atmosphere,” he told northeastNOW. You want guys to stay within their own game, but the idea of it is to play your best and showcase yourself, and they’re excited.”

For the Stangs, the contest presents a rematch of Sept. 29, when they routed Notre Dame, 8-1.

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This game of course is played a little bit earlier than most, a full nine hours earlier than their normal time.

“The biggest thing here for a 10:30 game is getting ready, getting going here early as quick as you can and making sure the blood flow is happening,” Blevins added.

“Keep your routines, I know it’s tough maybe on the nutrition side of it, but guys are doing a good job. You just make sure you do your same routine doesn’t matter the time of the day, and I think it’s a good learning curve to play games at different times, so it’s gonna be interesting to see how we do.”

For La Ronge and Humboldt, their contest begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be a rematch of an Oct. 3 matchup.

The Broncos took that one 6-2 at the Elgar Petersen Arena.

For all three clubs, they know these games are still part of the regular season and matter when it comes to picking up two points.

They also know that in a neutral site, they must make their own energy, as the Warman crowd is unlikely to heavily favour one side or the other.

“It’s always important to pick up points,” Blevins explained. “I think our guys do a great job of generating energy, we generally try and get on the right side of it even after a goal against or a bad shift, and we try and respond as quickly as we can. Lots of energy here with our guys this morning is going to be key.”

After two periods of play, the Melfort Mustangs led the Notre Dame Hounds, 2-1, outshooting them 25 to 12 in the process.

As previously mentioned, the Broncos and the Ice Wolves will begin late this afternoon.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8