(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)
Sherwood Division Weekend

Somers scores twice in return as Mustangs snap three-game slide

Nov 11, 2023 | 1:47 PM

It was the first game for the Melfort Mustangs in eight days and the return of Zac Somers after two weeks due to injury, but neither looked like they had any rust.

The Melfort product scored twice on Friday night, which included opening the scoring just over a minute in, as the Mustangs went on to snap their three-game losing skid, with a 5-3 victory over the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

“After an extended break, even longer than the rest of the boys, you’re just looking to get your feet under it early and luckily one went in there so that was good, but I think the team had a very gutty win tonight, lots of ups and downs and good to see us get it done,” the Stangs assistant captain told northeastNOW.

“I think that break couldn’t have come at a better time, we had a lot of guys out obviously, and now that we’re getting lots of guys back healthy, I think it’s time to get the boots going again and start climbing the standings.”

The win was the third straight the Stangs were able to get over La Ronge to start the campaign, as now they just have three remaining against the Ice Wolves for the remainder of their schedule.

Considering both teams met up in last year’s playoffs, and that they’re Sherwood Division rivals, Somers explained it’s always good to come away with two points when they meet.

“That’s a team that you always like beating, we met up with them in the playoffs last year and got it done, so we’d like to keep that going this year with them.”

The focus will now shift to Saturday night, as the Blue and Green head to Nipawin to face the Hawks for the first of six times this year.

In what is considered one of the best rivalries in the SJHL, if not all of Junior A Hockey, it’s been a game that’s been marked on the calendar for the past couple of months.

“It’s our rivals, it’s always gritty, it’s always fun to play, and we’re going into a smaller barn, so I think for that first time of the year it’ll be an unreal test for our club and we’re looking forward to it,” added Somers.

“In a smaller barn like that, we know they’re gonna bring it and I think we just need to play simple hockey, get pucks out, get pucks in, be gritty and crash and bang, and I think if we do that, we’ll be fine.”

Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena, as Ben Tompkins and Hana Grace will have the call, from the cage on 105 CJVR.

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8

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