(Photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Rivalry Weekend

Mustangs welcome Broncos for SaskTel Game of the Month

Feb 9, 2024 | 2:30 PM

The Melfort Mustangs are returning to the Northern Lights Palace Friday night, for their first home game in nearly a month.

After going 4 and 2 on their season-long six-game road trip, the Mustangs will face their rivals for a home-and-home set.

It will be the SaskTel Game of the Month, as Melfort hosts the Humboldt Broncos.

“It’s a big one, we’re close on the standings, and it can be an eight-point swing this weekend if you take both games, so I think it’s really important,” explained Mustangs’ captain, Leith Olafson. “It’s also a rivalry series and game of the month too, so I think everyone’s pretty fired up for it.”

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As it stands, Melfort is third in the SJHL standings with 61 points through 43 games, while the Broncos are fourth with 58 points.

Both teams also aren’t too far behind the Battlefords North Stars for second place, with 66 points in 44 games played.

“Coming down to the final stretch, we have like 13 games left I think, so every game is a big game and we can’t be dropping any, especially against the top four teams. We have Humboldt this weekend and then Flin Flon coming up next week, so these points are big,” Olafson added.

The Stangs’ last game was earlier this week in Weyburn when they combined for eight first-period goals with the Red Wings before the game eventually ended up 6-5 in favour of the Blue and Green.

Olafson told northeastNOW the team has been focusing on their defensive effort the past couple of days, but is hoping that their offensive outbursts continue.

“We went over our defence Wednesday and Thursday, we just have to get back to the basics in resetting the D zone and make sure we’re all committed to our system so we can play a solid defensive game,” he said.

“Offence comes and goes, but I think we’re pretty hot right now. I think everyone’s getting some good chemistry together, we’re all kind of settling in, points are coming and goals are coming, so I don’t think we need to worry about that too much.”

The weekend set is likely to be a feisty one, as these meetings are the last two remaining on the schedule this season.

Pending a playoff matchup, all the built-up frustrations and hatred will have to be aired out like dirty laundry, especially considering the run-in with Nolan Roberts and Cage Newans the last time these two met, in which the Humboldt captain broke Roberts’ nose on a cheap-shot uppercut after their fight had concluded.

“I wouldn’t count it out,” mentioned the Melfort captain when asked about any potential dramatics. “There’s always the possibility… so.”

Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8