(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Statement Win

Coombs’ 28 save shutout puts Mustangs one point away from clinching first

Mar 1, 2025 | 1:23 PM

The Melfort Mustangs now just need a single point in their last seven games to clinch first place in the SJHL standings this regular season.

Melfort earned a statement victory Friday night at home, defeating the Flin Flon Bombers 5-0, courtesy of a Kristian Coombs 28-save shutout, his fourth on the year.

Now, the Mustangs travel to Flin Flon on Saturday, looking to win their first game at the Whitney Forum, all season.

“I think that was the biggest win of the season so far, it was a huge statement win for sure, because we’re both at the top of the league battling for points, and now we’re one step closer to securing home ice advantage in the playoffs. Job’s not finished yet though, and we have to finish off the season strong and continue that into the playoffs,” said Stangs’ defenceman Nic Andrusiak.

“Coombs obviously stepped up huge for us tonight, he had some big stops, especially in that first period, when we weren’t protecting the house very well. He definitely made the saves we needed and came up huge on the penalty kill.”

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Andrusiak made his return to the lineup Friday night after a few weeks out due to injury.

Now, he’s in the lineup again on Saturday as the Blue and Green look to prove their worth at the Zoo.

“It’s great to be back for sure, the three weeks that I was out I was a little bored and it definitely sucks watching the boys from the stands. You want to be down there playing with them and sacrificing for the team. It was obviously a good game to be back for, the boys battled hard, we played our game, and we came to win,” Andrusiak added.

“We now just have to play hard tonight, play our game, and just stick to our systems. When we play our game and play hard, nobody can stop us. It’d be nice to get a win in that rink for sure, just to send a message that we can win anywhere, and in any environment.”

Melfort is 0 and 3 on the season in Flin Flon, as the Bombers are both the only team to beat the Mustangs multiple times and not to lose at home against the Stangs.

In the three games in Flin Flon this year, the Blue and Green have been outscored 13-5.

“I think it’d be huge to win there and win the season series, just to get in their head and get that mental edge on them, come playoff time, if we do meet up with them, and by the way things are going, it’s looking like we’ll be in the finals with them again,” concluded Andrusiak.

Puck drop tonight from Northern Manitoba is set for 7:30 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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