By Mat Barrett/ CJVR

Melfort downs the Kindersley Klippers

Nov 8, 2018 | 9:44 AM

The Melfort Mustangs had eight players record points on Wednesday night as they downed the visiting Kindersley Klippers 3-2 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) action.

The teams were tied at zero after one period of play, with Kindersley outshooting Melfort 8-3. But, the Mustangs would claw back in the second period, scoring just 48 seconds in when Kayle Tosh buried a great feed from Jake Hobson. It was Tosh’s third goal of the season, giving him 21 points.

The Mustangs kept on pressing in the middle frame, scoring about nine minutes in when Colin Schmidt cut across the crease, and tucked the puck by Klippers goalie Justen Close to make it 2-0. That was followed by a breakaway goal from Chase Anderson when he was released from the box after serving a Schmidt penalty. The Mustangs ended the second frame with a 3-0 lead.

Mustangs Head Coach Trevor Blevins said the team struggled in the first period with Kindersley’s forcheck, but responded great in the second.

“I thought we adjusted great in the second period,” Blevins said. “Really got to be committed in our zone with and without the puck, and we got success, and rewarded for it. We spent a lot of time in the offensive zone.”

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The Mustangs outshot the Klippers 20-10 in period number two.

In the third period, Kindersley came out flying. The Klippers would score just five minutes in to cut the lead down to one, courtesy of Damon McKenzie. That was followed by a Kyle Bosch goal with about five minutes left to play. Kindersley would continue to press, but Melfort was able to push back, keeping the score the same, and walking away with the 3-2 victory on home ice.

Melfort goalie Hunter Arps stopped 37 shots in the win, and Blevins said he was very pleased with his goaltenders performance.

“Phenomenal,” Blevins said. “I don’t think he had any chance on both goals so, he did a great job tonight. He really battled hard, and kept the puck out in front of him. When they were jamming away he stood tall in there and kept hard, battled, and competed.”

The Mustangs move to 11-6-1-0 on the SJHL season and are back in action on Friday when they take on the Nipawin Hawks in Nipawin. That will be followed by a game in Melfort, the next night.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca