(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Bring on the Playoffs

Mustangs clinch second place, extend season-long winning streak to nine

Mar 11, 2024 | 8:08 AM

The Melfort Mustangs are ready for playoff hockey, as they’re guaranteed a top-two spot for this year’s postseason.

Melfort played host to the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Sunday, walking away with a 3-1 victory which officially clinched them second place in the SJHL standings.

“That was a big one, that’s huge for us to clinch second place, that kind of sets us up for the playoffs and we’ve got lots of confidence going into it with a big streak, so hopefully we keep it going,” said Clay Sleeva, who had three points on the night.

The win extended quite the streak for this Mustangs squad, as they now have a season-long nine victories in a row.

With just one game remaining on the schedule the group wants to get some rest without losing their current mojo.

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“I think we got the day off Monday, so give our legs a rest, especially because we’ve played good and played lots of hockey, but we still got lots to go too,” Sleeva added.

“We just got to keep practicing and keep that right mindset, we know we’re good and we know what we can do, got another one next week, so hopefully we can pull that one out and I think we just keep playing the way we’re playing, Blevins has us going and I think we’ll be more than fine in the playoffs.”

The Stangs did make Sunday afternoon interesting, as it felt like they were in control all game, however, they trailed the first two periods.

Finally, Sleeva got them going by tying it in the third before the team added a couple more for the win.

“Never a doubt, I knew the boys could pull it out, it was kind of a slow start, the other goalie played well for the first 40, but then we pulled it out tonight,” he told northeastNOW.

“There was a little bit of worry when we kept hitting the post, there’s a little bit of panic on the bench, but I think the boys pulled together and got it done today.”

There’s a chance the group will look a lot different come their next game if they can find enough affiliate players to fill some lineup spots.

One guy who will likely be taken out for some time off is Sleeva, who now has goals in his last six and points in his last nine.

He credited the team around him for the success and knows he is a part of greatness that could accomplish many things this spring.

“I got great players to play with, I’m gonna not even say it’s myself, it’s the players that I play with, they find me good and I just got a hot stick too I guess, you gotta give a lot to the guys on the bench who trust me and give a little bit to God upstairs, so yeah we pulled it out,” explained Sleeva.

“I knew this group was good, but I’ve never seen a group like this before, this might be the greatest junior team I have ever played on, we’re tight all the way around the room, we stick up for each other, we’re tight, we have fun, we enjoy each other and I think that’s perfect for the playoff run.”

The 2023/24 SJHL Playoffs will begin in less than 11 days.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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