Nipawin and the Mustangs faced off in SJHL play Friday in Melfort. (Clark Stork/northeastNEW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Melfort mauling

Hawks hammered in Melfort to start weekend home-and-home

Feb 8, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The Mustangs routed Nipawin 6-0 Friday at the Northern Lights Palace as the two Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) rivals renewed acquaintances.

The Mustangs scored three times in the first, another in the second period, and two more in the third for their fifth win over Nipawin in six games this season. Nipawin Head Coach Tad Kozun said his group didn’t have the jump they had on Tuesday where the Hawks blanked the Bombers at the Centennial Arena or beat Melfort in their last meeting in late January.

“We didn’t move our feet, we allowed them to come through the middle of the ice,” Kozun said on the postgame show on 750 Beach Radio. “Obviously last time we played them we were on top of them and not allowing them to generate much. Tonight, we just kind of watched and let them do whatever they wanted to.”

Kozun was referring to a 4-1 Nipawin victory over Melfort on Jan. 25.

Melfort dominated every portion of the game Friday including the shot clock which was 37-14 plus the special team battle, the Mustangs had two powerplay goals in five opportunities, the Hawks were futile in two chances of their own on the man advantage. Kozun said the silver lining is the teams face off again Saturday in Niapwin.

Warmth is here

Old Man Winter's grip on Saskatchewan loosens as warmth arrives

13h ago

First time champion

Schmidt wins Canadian Challenge main 10-dog race

Feb 20, 2025

Gallery of Trailblazers

Gallery of Trailblazers celebrates Dr. Shadd, many other Black pioneers

Feb 20, 2025

“If there is one good thing about tonight is we get to do it again tomorrow against the same team. We have to be much, much better in every aspect. There wasn’t much to like about tonight, there really wasn’t,” Kozun added.

Melfort had six different goal scorers in the game, Madden Mulawka picked up his first shutout in a Mustang jersey. Gage Roberts suffered the loss making 31 stops.

Puck drop at the ‘Cage’ for the rematch is 7 p.m.

—

clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com