(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Still Undefeated

Mustangs stave off Klippers, remain perfect

Oct 1, 2023 | 5:34 PM

The Melfort Mustangs are still undefeated (4-0), now two weeks through the SJHL season.

Melfort defeated the visiting Kindersley Klippers 5-3, in what was the tightest home game of the year for the club so far.

The Klippers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, which was the first time this season that the Mustangs have trailed at any point at the Northern Lights Palace.

“We got down one but there were points where we recovered and we got back at it right after goals and we never ever shut down and we were hard all the way through,” said Stangs’ utility player, Wyatt Day. “A slow start doesn’t mean nothing when you finish hard.”

Day, who played defence for the first time this regular season (having been a forward in the first three contests) has been bouncing between the two positions ever since he got here in 2021.

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He scored two goals on the night, one which put his team up 3-2 at the time, at which point they never looked back, and the empty net insurance marker with about five seconds left in the game.

“I haven’t always been getting many goals as the fans have seen in the past here, but it feels good to contribute to the team and get a win,” Day added.

“I came into the league as a D man and we had some injuries my first year, so I got to play some forward and last year was my first season full forward and now it feels good to be back on the back end… I’ve been back and forth all season this year.”

Saturday night’s victory marked the organization’s Orange Shirt Game, as they honoured National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and raised money for James Smith KidSport.

(Submitted photo/Hana Grace)

Day explained it was extra sweet to get the win on the night, as well as playing for something bigger than themselves.

“It means a lot to us and to the community and of course, we got to respect and honour that (NDTR). It also means a lot to us that we can get it done on a day like this.”

The Mustangs are now halfway through their four-game homestand and will look to make it four of four, when the Weyburn Red Wings come to town for back-to-back matchups next weekend.

The Blue and Green are also hoping to start the season 6-0, with five of their first six games being at the Northern Lights Palace.

Melfort will be resting up and practicing for the next five days, as they don’t play again until Friday.

“Recovery is huge, and we got to get it done this coming weekend,” Day told northeastNOW. “Four is a fluke and five is a streak.”

Puck drops for both nights are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8