Warkentine the hero as Mustangs beat Hawks in overtime
The Melfort Mustangs withstood some early body blows, before delivering the knock out punch in overtime as the Mustangs upended the rival Nipawin Hawks 5-4 in overtime in Nipawin on March 2.
Drew Warkentine scored at 1:33 of overtime to help the Mustangs overcome a 2-0 second period hole, and a 4-3 third period deficit.
The Mustangs had a trio of players finish with two point nights as Tristen Elder and Reed Gunville each had a goal and one assist, while Loch Morrison chipped in with two assists.
Tyler Heidt, Warkentine and Rock Ruschkowski added the other goals for the Mustangs while Evan Plotnik turned aside 27 of the 31 shots he faced for his 24th win of the season.
Thomas Lenchyshyn led the way offensively for the Hawks registering three assists, while Brett Harasymuk, Austin Mikesch, Tyler Adams and Logan Casavant did the scoring as Declan Hobbs was charged with the loss after allowing five goals on 26 shots.
Mikesch got the Hawks on the board first converting a Lenchyshyn pass for his 19th of the year, on the power play.
After Harasymuk put the Hawks in front 2-0 just 1:19 into period two, the Mustangs took over as both Elder and Heidt found the back of the net to pull the teams into a 2-2 tie after two periods.
The teams then traded goals 38 seconds apart as Ruschkowski gave the Mustangs their first lead of the hockey game, before Casavant tied the score.
Adams then gave the Hawks the lead back, but a Gunville goal with 2:11 to play sent the game into overtime, setting up Warkentine’s heroics.
Mustangs erupt for 9 goals in win over Hawks
The Nipawin Hawks may be the top team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League but the Melfort Mustangs are their kryptonite.
The Hawks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Mustangs in the teams’ final regular season encounter in Melfort on March 3.
The loss marked the eighth time in ten contests that the Mustangs have beaten the Hawks, who despite being the league’s top team cannot seem to figure out a way to beat their rivals.
Loch Morrison finished with a game high five points (one goal and four assists), while Tristen Elder chipped in with a goal and three assists, Rock Ruschkowski with two goals and two assists, Drew Warkentine with two goals and one assist and Carson Albrecht added a goal and one assist for the Mustangs.
Holden Knights scored his first career SJHL goal and Eric McNeilly added the other in the Mustangs win.
Logan Casavant and Michael Grant did the scoring for the Hawks, who are still in search of the league title.
The Hawks need one win in their final two games, or a Battlefords North Stars loss in their final three games to lock up the league title.
The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as Ruschkowski and McNeilly scored first period markers to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead after the first.
After Casavant scored his 16th of the year to cut the Hawks’ deficit to one just 59 seconds into the second, the Mustangs took over.
Morrison, Ruschkowski, Elder and Warkentine all found the back of the net in the second, extending the Mustangs’ lead to 6-1.
Warkentine’s 12th goal of the season spelled the end for Hawks’ starting goalie Declan Hobbs, who was lifted in favour of Jake Anthony.
Hobbs’ night came to an end after allowing six goals on 15 shots.
Grant added a late goal, his 23rd of the season, to send the game into the second intermission with the Mustangs in front 6-2.
Despite the late goal, the Hawks showed no pushback in the third as they were outshot 12-7, thanks in small part to the Hawks having to kill off three power plays, to the Mustangs one.
With the Mustangs holding the edge in shots in the period, they also held an edge in goals as Albrecht, Knights, and Warkentine all found the back of the net.
Evan Plotnik picked up the win in the Mustangs goal turning aside 28 of the 30 shots he faced for his 25th win of the season, while Hobbs was charged with the loss in the Hawks goal.
Anthony, who came on in relief of Hobbs finished the evening with 11 saves on 14 shots in 22:06 of action.
The Hawks will have their next chance to put the finishing touches on the league title when they return to action on March 6 for a home date with the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
The Mustangs meanwhile, will finish their regular season on March 6 when they visit the Flin Flon Bombers.
