Melfort Mustangs have earned a spot to play in the national final. (Facebook/Melfort Mustangs)

By Ben Tompkins

Centennial Cup

Melfort Mustangs heading to Centennial Cup final

May 18, 2024 | 9:11 PM

A trip to the national championship game was on the line and the Melfort Mustangs did not disappoint Saturday night.

The team defeated the Calgary Canucks 2-1 at the Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont. to earn a spot in the championship game Sunday.

“Kudos to Calgary, they have a good team that’s fast and skilled, but we played our SJHL identity, and no one can stop us when we do that. We play hard, gritty, good in the D zone and we got rewarded for it,” explained assistant coach, Tye Scherger.

Offensive D-man Chase Friedt-Mohr put the Mustangs on the board at 4:05 in the first period with a power play goal assisted by Logan Belton and Ryan Duguay. The Canucks scored to tie the game just a few minutes later.

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About midway through the second period, Ryan Duguay put a large contingent of Mustangs fans into a frenzy. He scored off an assist by Clay Sleeva in what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

A large contingent of Melfort Mustangs fans travelled to Ontario. (Facebook/Melfort Mustangs)

The Mustangs will face the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) in the final at 3 p.m. EDT which is 1 p.m. CST in Saskatchewan.

“Melfort get up, that’s all I can say, we’re going to the National Finals, what a hell of a team. Through thick and thin all season, this is exactly what we’ve been wanting and they deserve nothing more than to be in the nationals finals,” Scherger added.

“Collingwood is very fast and skilled, and we can’t be taking penalties because I believe their powerplay was the best. We have to play simple and hard, keep being heavy and playing our identity, and hopefully, wear them down.”

James Venne stopped 27 of 28, as he and Duguay were two of the three stars on the night.

The Canadian Title game will be the second in team history, as the two 6 and 0 clubs to this point in the tournament will battle for all the marbles.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8