The Melfort Mustangs have been looking for a more consistent defensive effort for most of the season and they got just that in a 2-1 loss to the Battlefords North Stars.
The Feb. 17 game was a solid effort, but there wasn’t enough generated offensively, said Trevor Blevins, the Mustangs’ head coach.
“We had seven shots on net in the first two periods, which is not getting it done,” said Blevins.
Despite being outshot 11-4 in the first period, the Mustangs managed the only goal of the period as Reed Gunville scored his 16th goal of the season on a Mustangs power play.
The North Stars answered with two goals in the second period to take their first lead of the game and they never gave it up, holding the one goal lead for more than 30 straight minutes.
Evan Plotnik was charged with the loss in the Mustangs goal, giving up two goals on 43 shots, with Blevins saying he was solid between the pipes, noting he has been playing real solid the last few starts.
“Lately every goal is earned and he’s competing hard and he’s doing all the right things. So his confidence level’s back up and he’s playing exceptionally well.”
The Mustangs failed to generate much in the way of offense throughout the game against the league-leading Stars, firing just 16 shots on the Stars goal including just seven combined in the first two periods.
The Stars are the league’s best defensive team and did a lot of little things very well to limit the Mustangs’ opportunities, said Blevins, including backchecking, winning one-on-one battles, blocking shots and getting in shooting lanes, forcing the Mustangs to miss the net.
“It was an eye-opener for our guys to see and know what it takes to win.”
The Mustangs next game comes Feb. 22 when they travel to Wilcox to take on the Hounds.
The key for the Mustangs, who just picked up a 3-2 overtime victory over the Hounds on Jan. 20, will be to shut down the potent duo of Ben Duperreault and Adam Dawe.
“It’s going to be difficult because we don’t get the last chance,” Blevins said, “but I think the huge key for us is making sure their top guys stay off the scoresheet and that we improve offensively.”
