(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Calcutta Shootout

Mustangs hope to salvage parent-billet weekend after loss to Hawks

Nov 18, 2023 | 2:13 PM

For the second time in the past week, the Melfort Mustangs suffered a tough one-goal loss against their archrivals, the Nipawin Hawks.

Last Saturday it was a 4-3 overtime comeback loss in Nipawin, while last night it was a 2-1 regulation defeat in Melfort.

Hawks netminder, Damon Cunningham stole the show, as he stopped 43 of 44 shots, stimying the Mustangs at every turn.

“He (Cunningham) played pretty well, we got a lot of chances, but we just gotta get some more bodies in front and traffic and hopefully, bank home a couple tomorrow,” said Stangs’ forward, David Coyle postgame.

The defeat also marked the Mustangs’ second loss in a row overall, as they were taken down by the Yorkton Terriers in Warman (at the SJHL Showcase) on Wednesday, 5-2.

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The Terriers have had Melfort’s number a bit this season, having won two of the first three matchups so far this year, but the Stangs will get another crack at them, as they host them tonight.

“They got our number so far, so just get a good rest tonight, get ready for tomorrow and just play our game… not many teams can play with us when we do that,” Coyle added.

Melfort’s lone goal of the evening (their lowest scoring total of a game so far this season) came on the powerplay from their leading scorer, Ryan Duguay.

Meanwhile, Nipawin also buried one on one of their six man-advantages (two of which were five-on-three) as the Mustangs sat a total of 24 minutes in the penalty box during the night.

Coyle explained both depth scoring (especially with injuries and consistent jostling of lines) and discipline are something his club will be focusing on in the next little while.

“Our lines are changing all the time, but we just have to do what we can and hopefully if we’re doing the right things, the puck will bounce in and we’ll get rewarded for that,” he told northeastNOW.

“Just playing smart, sometimes the refs of looking for that stuff, especially when it’s been a couple either way, so just got to keep it clean and still play physical but just be smart with what you’re doing.”

Saturday night’s contest against Yorkton will also give the Blue and Green a chance to salvage their parent-billet weekend.

(Photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with the annual Calcutta Shootout to follow the conclusion of the contest.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8