After dropping two straight games last week, the Melfort Mustangs returned to the win column in impressive fashion Wednesday night.
Defenceman Loch Morrison scored three goals and set up two more for the Mustangs as they cruised to an 8-1 win over the visiting Melville Millionaires.
Colin Schmidt had a pair of goals in the victory, while Reed Gunville, Kalem Zary and Rock Ruschkowski each had two assist games.
Eric McNeilly, Tyson Meyers and Boedy Donald also scored for the Mustangs.
Ethan Kopyczyn had the lone goal of the night for the Millionaires during the second period.
The Mustangs also made a trade prior to the game as they acquired the rights to forward Drew Warkentine from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines in exchange for forward Vincent Beaudry.
The 19-year-old Warkentine has spent the last three seasons with his hometown Prince Albert Raiders, where he had 11 points in 87 career Western Hockey League games.
His older brother Miles played with the Mustangs for two years before graduating from the junior ranks last season.
Beaudry, a 20-year-old from Montmagny, Que., had four points in eight games for the Mustangs.
In other action on Wednesday, Jordan Bogress’ goal midway through the third period proved to be the difference as the Humboldt Broncos picked up a 6-5 home triumph over the Flin Flon Bombers.
It was a well balanced offensive attack for the hosts, as Logan Hunter, Logan Schatz, Logan Boulet, Brayden Camrud and Bogress all had a goal and an assist during the game.
Jacob Leicht also scored for the Broncos, who received a two-assist performance from Kaleb Dahlgren.
With the win, the Broncos are now tied for first place in the Olympic Buildings Division with the Battlefords North Stars and the Kindersley Klippers, though the North Stars have four games in hand.
The Bombers were led on offence by Nick Shumlanski’s three-assist performance, while Kurtis Rutledge and Chrystopher Collin had a goal and an assist each in the loss.
Calvon Boots and Nate Hooper also scored for the visitors.
Weyburn Red Wings forward Jordan Kazymyra picked a great time to score his first two SJHL goals, as he led the way for his team in a 3-1 win over the La Ronge Ice Wolves at Crescent Point Place.
Erik Olson had the other goal for the Red Wings, while Dawon Boehm countered for the Ice Wolves.
Although they didn’t play a game Wednesday, the Battlefords North Stars also made a trade as they acquired forward Chaseton Braid from the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats for a player development fee.
Braid, a 20-year-old from Chavin, Alta., had five points in nine games for the Bobcats at the time of trade and played in 71 Western Hockey League games over the last three years for the Kamloops Blazers and the Saskatoon Blades.
Thursday SJHL Schedule
- La Ronge vs. Estevan – 7 p.m.
- Flin Flon vs. Notre Dame – 8 p.m.
Standings
Olympic Buildings Division
1. Battlefords North Stars – 11 points (5-0-1 – 3W)
2. Humboldt Broncos – 11 points (5-4-1 – 1W)
3. Kindersley Klippers – 11 points (5-4-1 – 1W)
4. Notre Dame Hounds – 10 points (4-3-1-1 – 1W)
Sherwood Division
1. Melfort Mustangs – 19 points (9-1-1 – 1W)
2. Flin Flon Bombers – 13 points (5-2-0-3 – 2L)
3. Nipawin Hawks – 12 points (5-1-1-1 – 2W)
4. La Ronge Ice Wolves – 3 points (1-7-0-1 – 5L)
Viterra Division
1. Estevan Bruins – 15 points (7-2-1 – 2W)
2. Weyburn Red Wings – 11 points (5-2-1 – 3W)
3. Melville Millionaires – 7 points (3-7-0-1 – 2L)
4. Yorkton Terriers – 5 points (2-7-1 – 1L)
Scoring Race
1. Zach Goberis (Estevan) – 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists)
2. Michael McChesney (Estevan) – 19 points (11 goals and 8 assists)
3. Layne Young (Battlefords) – 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists)
4. Jake Fletcher (Estevan) – 14 points (5 goals and 9 assists)
5. Josh McDougall (Nipawin) – 14 points (1 goal and 13 assists)
Goals Against Average Leaders
1. Evan Plotnik (Melfort) – 1.88 (9-1-1)
2. Jake Anthony (Nipawin) – 1.91 (2-0-0-1)
3. Brendan Newton (Flin Flon) – 1.97 (5-2-0-3)
4. Taryn Kotchorek (Battlefords) – 2.34 (4-0-1)
5. Carter Phair (Weyburn) – 2.40 (1-0-1)
