Wings Pick up Three of Four Possible Points on Road Trip!

It was a battle of division leaders in Melfort tonight as the Mustangs hosted the Weyburn Red Wings. The Mustangs prevailed 3-2 in a shootout as they continue to be on one of the hottest streaks seen in a long time in the SJHL. Kyle Fraser had the shootout winner for the Mustangs. Tommy Brown had a goal and an assist to pace the Mustangs. Cory Buffin had the other Melfort goal. Ryan Gareau, Gary Childerhose and Cam Oliphant all added assists for Melfort. Michael Seib scored for the second night in a row for the Wings. Nick Needham also scored for the Red Wings. Kyle Haines, Ethan Gardner, Mick Pawlyshyn and Kyle Johnson, playing his first game of the season for the Wings, all added assists. It was a battle of the backups tonight and a chance for two guys who do not see a lot of action get a chance to play. Jesse Trach started for the Mustangs and stopped 23 of 25 shots throughout regulation and overtime. Tanner Erickson made his third start of the season for the Red Wings and made a respectable 21 saves on 23 shots throughout regulation and overtime. The Wings now have a three point lead over second place Kindersley in the Sherwood Conference. The Mustangs open up a two point lead over second place Humboldt in the Itech Conference as the standings start to take a bit of a different look in both divisions.

In Melville, the Estevan Bruins used the power play to their full advantage as they scored four power play goals en route to a 4-3 win over the Millionaires. Payden Benning, Riley Tetreault, Niko Grose and Kealin Wong with the eventual winner all scored for the Bruins. Brody Haygarth and Garrett Lasko added two assists each for the Bruins. Kyle Stroh, Brady Dew and Kyle Garagan all added assists for Estevan. Bryant Dyke had a goal and an assist for the Mils who also got singles from Dion Campbell and Kale Dolinski. David Ritz was on his game as he made 43 saves in the Estevan goal. Kyle Cantlon was pulled after allowing Wong's goal at the 5:21 mark of the third. He managed only 20 saves on 24 shots. Travis Bosch cleaned up and made 6 saves the rest of the way. The Bruins are now 5 points behind both the Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers. The Mils are tied with Yorkton for third in the Sherwood.

Speaking of those Terriers, they were given a battle tonight by the Battleford Stars but prevailed 3-2 in a shootout. Logan Dew had the shootout winner for the Terriers. Rylan McDonell and Jordan Menke scored in regulation for the Terriers. Derek Serdachny and Kyle Block added assists. Kirk Moore and Nick Kalnicki replied for the Stars. Shawn McNulty, Rick Cey and Tony Oak added assists for the North Stars. Lynden Sammartino started for the Terriers but was yanked after allowing 2 goals in a 25 second span of the first period. Joel Danyluk went perfect the rest of the way (other than the shootout) as he made 24 saves. Adrien Lemay got the start for the Stars and made 38 saves on the night. As mentioned earlier the Terriers move into a share of third in the Sherwood with the Melville Millionaires with the win. The Stars pick up a single point and are now 3-22-1-2 on the season.

Tonight's Three Stars:

* David Ritz - Estevan Bruins (43 saves performance in Bruins win over Melville)
** Tommy Brown - Melfort Mustangs (2 point night for rookie defenseman in Mustangs win)
*** Adrien Lemay - Battlefords North Stars (38 saves in shootout loss)

Estevan deals: The Bruins made a couple of moves today as they dealt 19 year old defenseman Morgan Bell to the Winkler Flyers of the MJHL for future considerations. Bell was in his first season with the Bruins. Meanwhile, the Bruins received the playing rights of defenseman Dimitri Levin from the Lindsay Muskies of the OPAJHL for futures. Levin was most recently playing with the OHL's Oshawa Generals.

Wings return to action Saturday night when they visit the Millionaires.

- Brad M.