CALGARY, AB – Time and again this year, these Melfort Mustangs have proven that no stage, circumstance, or adversity is too much for them.
They did it again in their 5-2 win over the high-flying CCHL champion Rockland Nationals Thursday at the Centennial Cup.
Already missing regular season Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League scoring champion Reilley Kotai to injury, the team lost all-around defenceman and leader Nolan Roberts on the back end in the middle of the second period.
Both teams had to deal with a lengthy delay due to a large hole in the ice near the Melfort bench late in the first period, which led to the game being resumed on a different ice surface.
Rockland opened the scoring 12:30 into the second frame, the first time in 13 games the Mustangs had allowed the first goal, but Will Munro replied just over two minutes later to tie the contest.
Ashton Paul whipped home a power-play marker to give Melfort its first lead at the 5:49 mark of the third period. Then Tristin Ziola banged in a rebound after a strong Logan Belton power move with seven minutes remaining in regulation to offer the Mustangs some insurance.
Rockland got another back, but Brayden Westerlund and Ashton Hutchinson knocked in empty netters to seal the deal for the Canterra Seeds Cup champions.
Hutchinson went and celebrated in front of brother and great Mustangs alumnus Aidyn after the puck went in.
The Mustangs moved into third place in Group B with the win, tied on points with six with the Calgary Canucks though without the tie-breaker, and one behind Rockland.
In order to earn the No. 1 seed in the group, Melfort would need to beat the Quebec champion Valleyfield Braves in regulation tomorrow, and the Canucks to not beat the Edmundston Blizzard in regulation Tuesday afternoon.
FIND THE TOURNAMENT STANDINGS HERE.
Highlights presented by HN Live.
Melfort 5 Rockland 2
The Mustangs will take on Valleyfield at 4:00 P.M. MDT Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
