Game 2 of the 2025 SJ/MJ Showcase on Tuesday (submitted photo/Jamie Neugebauer)

By Ben Tompkins

Representing Well

Mustangs, SJHL shine bright on Day 1 of Showcase

Jan 29, 2025 | 1:02 PM

Day 1 of the 2025 SJ/MJ Showcase has now come and gone, with the second and final day now underway.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is off to a great start, as they won two of the first three games of the tournament, with their only defeat coming in a shootout.

The Melfort Mustangs had nine players in action, including their two goaltenders, showing up in a big way.

“Super proud of how they represented us, the organization, and themselves. It was nice to see the success they had on the ice and the hard work each guy put in to get here. All our players were excellent and they did a great job shining for the SJHL,” said head coach Trevor Blevins.

The second of three games on Tuesday was played between the MJHL 20U Black Team and the SJHL 20U White Team.

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Team White rostered eight of the nine Melfort players and is coached by the Mustangs bench boss.

After a slow first period, in which the two teams only traded a combined nine shots, scoring no goals, the second period had eight goals, six of which belonged to the SJ.

“I think both teams were feeling each other out a little bit in the first period, and maybe a bit nerves also, just getting settled in and getting comfortable. We had some chemistry in the first period and I felt guys built on it and capitalized in the second,” Blevins added.

“We got a quick burst of confidence with two shorthanded goals 13 seconds apart, as two great plays were made. That just provided a jump and we really played with a lot more urgency after that. We executed great and our passes were crisper, so it was just an excellent second period.”

The game would go on to finish with a 9-4 score in favour of the SJHL, with Melfort’s Zac Somers being named the player of the game, scoring twice (including once shorthanded) and assisting once.

Mustangs’ netminder Kristian Coombs secured the win with 18 saves, with Nik Andrusiak adding an assist, Ty Thornton having two assists, Ashton Hutchinson scoring once, and Reilley Kotai putting up a goal and an assist.

“The shot total maybe wasn’t high against us, but Coombs made some key, timely saves on some quality chances. He was right there, I thought he was excellent and even though there were four goals against him, he had no chance on three of them in my opinion,” continued Blevins.

“As for today, we want to build on what we did yesterday, it’ll be another tough game and obviously it’s a quick turnaround. Hopefully, we come out with some jump, find it early, and just have that motor going as soon as we can.”

Team White will play at 2 p.m. this afternoon.

As for the SJHL’s 18U Team, they were the only ones to lose on Tuesday, falling 3-2 in a shootout.

The Blue Team lost to the MJHL’s White Team, and according to Blevins, the only reason the game was close was because of Madden Mulawka, the other Stangs’ netminder.

“If it wasn’t for him, it would’ve been a high-scoring game, he was excellent, competed hard, had a lot of will in the net and you could just tell he was on. He was very fast to the puck and showed a lot of composure. He really held his team in it, made some key saves, and was the player of the game for a reason. In my mind, there was no question, he was that good, and it was a no-brainer for him to be the player of the game.”

Team Blue lost 3-2 in the shootout and will play once again later today, with puck drop set for 5 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8