(Image Credit: Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

In need of a response

Mustangs drop Round 1 opener to Stars

Mar 21, 2026 | 11:58 AM

The Melfort Mustangs fell just short in their first game of the 2026 SJHL playoffs on Friday.

Melfort dropped a 4-2 decision to the Battlefords North Stars, as they now trail the best-of-seven series 1-0.

The Mustangs will be in action again on Saturday, in North Battleford, as they look for a response.

The hope is a win in Game 2, to earn the split on the road, and steal home-ice advantage heading back to the Northern Lights Palace for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Melfort never led in Game 1, giving up three goals in the first two periods, all on special teams (one power play, one short-handed, and one four-on-four marker).

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The Mustangs scored one power-play goal of their own in the opening 40 minutes, before adding a five-on-five goal early in the third to cut the deficit back to one.

Unfortunately, despite a 42-28 shot advantage, including a 17-6 lead in the final frame, the Stangs were unable to tie the game up before a late empty net goal ultimately sealed the deal, 4-2 in favour of the Stars.

This marks just the second time in the past 24 months that the Blue and Green have trailed in a playoff series (lost Game 1 of last year’s finals against Weyburn before rattling off four straight wins for the league title).

Game 2 goes tonight (Saturday), once again at the Access Communications Centre, as the North Stars go for a 2-0 series lead, while the Mustangs attempt to tie it at one game apiece.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. with the pregame show starting at 7:10 p.m. on 105CJVR and CJVR.com

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8