(Facebook/Broad Leaf Media)

By Mat Barrett

Rivalry Weekend

Mustangs meet Hawks for first time this season

Dec 16, 2022 | 9:47 AM

The Melfort Mustangs are looking to stay hot as they head into the Christmas and New Year’s breaks in the SJHL.

Just two games remain before a 20-day break for the Mustangs and they won’t be eased into the break as they meet their rival Nipawin Hawks for a home-and-home series. It’ll be the first meeting of the season between the bitter rival who normally meet upwards of 10 times a season, but will only meet six times in 2022-23.

Mustangs forward Clarke Huxley said they know what to expect from the Hawks.

“They’ve got some good top guys that can score,” Huxley said. “They always play hard in their rink so we have to stay hard on the puck and play physical as well.”

Melfort is one of the hottest teams in the SJHL as of late, currently on a stretch of 11 games without a regulation loss. They’ve gone 9-0-1-1 in that stretch and are coming off a 9-1 beat down of the Melville Millionaires on Wednesday, and while the Mustangs played well in that game, Huxley said they understand what is ahead.

Riderville

Shades of 2007

9h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

Nov 14, 2024

Fire in Nipawin area

Fire destroys house in R.M. of Torch River

Nov 14, 2024

“Put that behind us,” he said. “It was a good game, but [we need to] keep building on it as well.”

Melfort is currently 16-8-5-1 on the season, and is fifth in the SJHL, and are just three points back of third. The Hawks hold down the seventh seed in the playoff race heading into the weekend with a record of 13-5-1-1.

Friday night’s game can be heard on 105 CJVR with puck drop at 7 p.m. and the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. On Saturday, the series shifts to Melfort with puck drop at the Northern Lights Palace at 7:30 p.m.

–

matbarrett@melfortmustangs.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6