MELFORT — The Melfort Mustangs will be going to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League finals, where they'll face the Battlefords North Stars.
With a final score of 3-2, the Mustangs defeated the Estevan Bruins in Game 6 of the semifinals in Estevan April 7.
The Bruins came out flying to start the game, and were rewarded for their efforts when Aigne McGeady-Bruce scored on a shot from the point 72 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead. Melfort had few chances to score in that period, but they did get a penalty shot. Bruin goaltender Grant Boldt stopped Mustangs scoring star Carson Albrecht.
Kade McMillen continued Estevan's streak in the second, but the Mustangs awoke in the middle of the second period and delivered two goals with Colin Schmidt and Alex Rondeau to tie the game.
With four minutes left in the game, Melfort's Justin Ball secured the victory for his team. It was just the second goal in the series for Ball, who had 54 in the regular season.
Noah Giesbrecht of the Mustangs stopped 41 out of 43 shots on his net, including a spectacular stick save off of Michael McChesney on a Bruin power play midway through the third period, when the game was still tied. Estevan's Grant Boldt stopped 18 out of 21 shots.
Written with files from the Estevan Mercury.
