CALGARY, AB – The only good news for the Melfort Mustangs after their opening day 3-1 loss to the host Calgary Canucks is that you cannot win or lose a tournament as long as the Centennial Cup on Day 1.
Ashton Hutchinson banked in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions’ first goal of the event to give them an early lead at the 3:12 mark of the opening frame, but a larger bounty evaded the Mustangs despite a bevy of excellent chances.
Canucks’ forward Luc Trevors was allowed to cruise in on Melfort goaltender Kristian Coombs with only 21 seconds left in the first period, and the 19-year-old made no mistake to tie the game.
Calgary’s Riley Bracko notched the winner 2:39 into the second period on a 3-on-1 during which the Mustangs were in the midst of a change, poking home a back-door feed that gave Coombs no chance.
Hayden Fechner whipped in an empty netter to seal the contest with 1:36 remaining in regulation.
Coombs was terrific in making 29 stops in the loss, while Calgary’s Lukas Renaud was equally brilliant and stopped 28 often-difficult Melfort shots for the win.
Melfort still has three more group-stage games to earn one of the three playoff spots in Group B, beginning Saturday at noon vs. the Maritime Hockey League champion Edmundston Blizzard.
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