By Mat Barrett

Mustangs flip script in road win in Nipawin to close out 2018

Dec 23, 2018 | 9:01 AM

The Melfort Mustangs managed to get a split in their weekend home and home with the Nipawin Hawks after a 4-2 win Saturday night in Nipawin.

Less than 24 hours earlier, the Hawks managed a 2-1win  in Melfort to open up the weekend set between the rivals. Saturday’s game looked a lot different than Friday’s, as both teams seemed to have a bit more energy. Both teams were hitting hard, and tensions were high as each team made their fair share of trips to the penalty box. Melfort had to kill off six minutes of penalties in the frame, while Nipawin killed off four. Neither team was able to score in the frame.

Mustangs Assistant Coach Dan Meyers said when the team got into penalty trouble, they were able to weather the storm.

“We got great penalty killers up front,” Meyers said. “And then we run pretty well five defencemen on the back and whoever we’re throwing out right now, we’re all confident with them out there and they do a good job.”

The Mustangs were able to get on the scoreboard in the second period when Justin Ball was sprung on a breakaway and was able to beat Hawks’ goalie Declan Hobbs. That was followed by a powerplay goal from Ball again with a one-timer from the circle off a great pass from Tanner Zentner. With his two goals, Ball extended his point streak to 33 games on the season.

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Nipawin was able to get on the scoreboard in the third period when Carson Erhardt got a great feed and was able to put the puck by Shawn Parkinson to bring the game to 2-1. That was answered just 23 seconds later as Alex Rondeau was able to find the puck and fire a shot passed Hobbs for his third goal in as many games. Meyers said Rondeau is really hitting his stride now.

“It’s awesome to see.” Meyers told northeastNOW. “Because Rondeau is just one of those emotional players on the ice, he makes us giggle on the bench… He’s just playing hard, and he’s a great kid.”

The Hawks would press, being down 3-1, but Shawn Parkinson stood tall. Zack Smith notched an empty net marker with just under two minutes to play to make it 4-1, but Nipawin got one back with 45 seconds left off a weird bounce in the Melfort zone. 4-2 was as close as the Hawks would get.

Parkinson stopped 28 of 30 shots in the win for Melfort. Meyers said as a team they just need to work on playing a full game.

“Just 60 minutes and be more consistent” Meyers said. “Pretty happy with how the boys have played the first half here and excited for the second half.”

Melfort improves to 24-9-2-0 on the season, while Nipawin falls to 25-10-1-1. Just two points separate the rivals for top spot in the SJHL’s Sherwood Division. The two will meet once again for a home and home on Jan. 4 and 5.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca