Mustangs practice on Wednesday at the Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont. (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Game 1

Mustangs begin Centennial Cup against Miramichi Timberwolves

May 9, 2024 | 3:04 PM

The Centennial Cup began earlier on Thursday in Oakville, Ont. as 10 teams from across Canada started to battle it out for a national championship.

For the Melfort Mustangs game one of round-robin play is scheduled for Thursday night against the Miramichi Timberwolves.

“We’re excited and ready to go, we had a couple of practices to get the legs going, and now we’re rested and recovered and ready for our first game,” explained Mustangs forward Aidyn Hutchinson.

Hutchinson, who had the most points in the SJHL playoffs this year, scored the game-winning goal last Thursday in Game 6 against the Flin Flon Bombers to help get his team to this point.

He, along with the rest of the team are confident in their abilities heading in, however, they know every team earned their way here and that it won’t be easy.

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“We’re confident in ourselves after winning the championship, but we have to keep our heads as level as possible, stay composed and look for a big start here,” Hutchinson added.

Melfort has not faced the Timberwolves before, as Miramichi is in their first Centennial Cup in franchise history.

With that in mind, Hutchinson is expecting a big effort from his opponents but also knows what his team does well that can earn them a victory.

“You have to be ready right off the get-go. If you’re not, anything can happen, so you gotta be ready and expect a battle,” he told northeastNOW.

“I know we’re physical and bring skill as well, so we plan to use both of those and if we do, I think we’ll be fine.”

The Stangs will once again be without Ryan Duguay as he serves the final of a two-game suspension.

Puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, from the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, with the Suncrest College pregame show beginning at 5:15 p.m. on CJVR.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8