(Broad Leaf Media/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Playoff Bound

Mustangs become SJHL’s first team to clinch playoff spot

Feb 6, 2025 | 5:13 PM

The Melfort Mustangs have officially clinched a playoff spot, guaranteeing them at least a chance in trying to capture back-to-back Canterra Seeds Cup Championships, with another great postseason run.

After Wednesday night’s win over the Weyburn Red Wings at home, Melfort is now guaranteed to finish at least eighth or better in the 2024/25 regular season.

The Mustangs are 31 points ahead of the ninth-place La Ronge Ice Wolves, with each team having just 15 games remaining on their schedule.

This means that if Melfort were to somehow lose the entire remainder of their games and La Ronge was to win out, the Stangs would still finish one point ahead of the Ice Wolves, which translates to the fact that only seven teams are still able to leapfrog the Stangs in the standings.

The Blue and Green are 34-7-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) on the season, good for 68 points and a .829 win percentage.

Playoff Bound

Mustangs become SJHL's first team to clinch playoff spot

5h ago

Scams and fraud

Scams and fraud the focus of a meeting in Melfort

13h ago

Quadruple Homicide

RCMP confirm 2 men and 2 women were killed on Carry the Kettle

Feb 05, 2025

The Mustangs lead the league with the fewest goals against (86) and the best goal differential (69).

The Stangs are also a very impressive 18-1-0-0 (.947 win percentage) at the Northern Lights Palace this year, having won their last 17 at home.

After starting the year 11-4-0-0, Melfort’s best stretch of the campaign came from Nov. 13 until Jan. 4, as they rattled off 17 straight wins to tie the league’s modern-era record.

Since they captured 17 consecutive victories, the Mustangs are 6-2-0-0.

Another impressive stat that the Blue and Green hold is that they are perfect when games have gone to extra time this year (3-0-0-0 in overtime and 1-0-0-0 in the shootout), and are undefeated when leading after the first or second period (23-0-0-0 and 26-0-0-0, respectively).

The Stangs are also perfect in one-goal contests with a record of 14-0-0-0.

Finally, Melfort leads the league in powerplay percentage (24.6%) and powerplay goals (48), while also holding the top spot in penalty kill percentage (86.6%).

The defending SJHL champion Mustangs return to the ice on Friday at the Palace, beginning a home-and-home set with the Nipawin Hawks.

–

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @BenTompkins_8