It’s been a dogfight at the top of the Sherwood Division, like most years, so far this season, and the Melfort Mustangs were able to remain at the top of it Friday, as they picked up a 5-2 victory in Nipawin, opening up a late October home-and-home.
Zach Anderson and Adam Robes each had a goal and an assist for the Mustangs (11-3-2-1), while Ben Chase, Greg Parker and Colton Schell also picked up goals. Shawn Parkinson earned the win, making 24/26 saves.
Eric Sorensen and Michael Makarenko scored goals 3:06 apart late in the second period for the Hawks (9-6-0-0), making it a 2-2 game at the time. That’s three straight losses now for Nipawin, who makes the quick return trip to Melfort on Saturday.
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The Flin Flon Bombers went 6-for-10 on the powerplay, as part of a 9-2 win in Kindersley.
Alec Malo had a goal and two assists, good for a league-high 33-points on the season. Chase Haygarth also had a goal and two helpers, while Cole Rafuse and Mason Kaspick scored twice each. Ryder Richmond, Brandon Cianflone and Reid Robertson added singles, and Jacob Delorme turned away 30/32 shots for the Bombers (11-3-2-0).
Caden Benson (1g-1a) and Jacob Schnapp replied for the Klippers (7-8-1-0), who see their four game winning streak come to a halt.
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Chantz Petruic had two goals and two assists, getting in on all four Yorkton goals as the Terriers beat the Notre Dame Hounds on the road, 4-1.
Petruic now has a league-high 17-goals in 17-games, and his 32-points has him one back of Flin Flon’s Alec Malo. Alec Zawatsky had a goal and an assist for the Terriers (8-9-0-0) Friday, while Ryan Ries rounded out the scoring, and Ryan Ouelette made 36/37 saves. Ouelette is 2-0 since returning, making 80/83 saves in those two stats (.964%).
Curtis Wiebe provided the lone goal for the Hounds (5-9-2-0).
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They started the season on a seven game winning streak, and now the Battlefords North Stars are on a new nine game hot streak, after hanging on for a 4-3 win over La Ronge Friday.
The North Stars (16-1-0-0) led 3-0 after the first period, and 4-0 just 22 seconds into the second, but the Ice Wolves (7-10-2-0) nearly charged all the way back, with two second period markers and one more early in the third. Shots were also lopsided in the Ice Wolves’ favour, 38-24.
Hunter Partsch opened the scoring with his first SJHL goal just 4:30 into his first game with the Stars. Rylan Nivon and Ryland McNinch rounded out their three goal first period, and Brett Gammer extended the margin quickly in the second. Adam Dmyterko made 35/38 saves in the win, running his personal mark to 11-0-0 on the year. Jake Gudjonson (1g-1a), Zach Bannister (1g-1a) and Ben Manson led the near comeback for La Ronge.
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Nikolas Sombrowski scored with just 21 seconds left in regulation to break the tie as the Weyburn Red Wings edged the Estevan Bruins 2-1.
Mathieu Belanger added a goal and an assist, and Noah Decottignies made 23/24 saves for the Wings (6-8-0-1).
Keenan Rancier did his part at the other end in goal for the Bruins (4-8-1-1), stopping 36 of the 38 shots he faced. Brady Nicholas scored for Estevan.
