(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Third Period Rally

Mustangs use powerplay to comeback against Hawks

Dec 21, 2024 | 9:47 AM

The Melfort Mustangs had a hole to dig out of to begin the third period on Friday night against the Hawks, but clearly brought the right shovel as they walked away with a 3-2 victory.

Melfort scored three unanswered powerplay goals in the final frame, the last of which came with just 25 seconds remaining.

“The first half of the game we weren’t mentally ready, I think we had other stuff on our mind. After we reset, we just got back to the simple details of working. The first half of the game, we weren’t working or competing at all, and we just let them have it,” said assistant coach Tye Scherger.

“In the third though, we showed up huge and that’s just relentless character. Good for the power play to step up as well.”

The win, now the Mustangs’ 14th in a row was their second game in the last week in which they’ve come back from down 2-0 and won 3-2.

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It’s also the second victory in a row in which they’ve scored the game-winning goal with less than a minute left.

“We’re fighting adversity mid-game now so it’s just about hitting that reset button and going back to work. When the boys reset, they’re good at responding. It’s tough to flip a switch mid-game, but they came to work after, which is good to see,” Scherger added.

“All it is is gut check time, you got to dig deep when there’s a minute left. If you’re down or tied, you got to find a way. That’s just all relentless work ethic, so that’s awesome.”

Not only was the powerplay 3 for 5 tonight, putting their percentage back to tops in the league, but the Stangs’ penalty kill was 5-5, which also ranks first.

All that, plus clutch goal scoring continues for the Blue and Green, as they’ll now try to wrap up 2024 with a win at home, against the same Nipawin Hawks on Saturday night.

“We just have to be mentally prepared and have a better start. You’re coming to work, you’re competing, you’re committing to the D zone, and you’re playing our identity. That’s just what needs to happen tomorrow to start the game and then go from there. We got to be ready to work a full 60 before the break,” Scherger concluded.

Puck drop at the Palace is slated for 7:30 p.m.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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