The defending champion Mefort Mustangs have retaken home ice advantage from the Weyburn Red Wings in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Championship after a 1-0 game three win.
For the first time since 2012, Weyburn hosted an SJHL final game, and the packed Crescent Point Place witnessed a tight-checking affair.
In the opening period, both teams came out looking to set a physical tone. However, Weyburn’s undisciplined play from game two spilled over just 94 seconds into the game when Cyprus Smith-Davis was assessed a tripping penalty.
Despite getting some quality chances, Melfort was unable to beat Weyburn goaltender Angelo Zol.
When five-on-five play resumed, both teams clogged up the middle of the ice and the scoring zones.
Before the period was out, Weyburn was awarded a pair of power play opportunities, but the Mustangs' puck pressure did not allow the Red Wings' power play to set up, keeping the play to the perimeter.
After the opening 20 minutes, the game remained scoreless with Melfort outshooting Wyburn 5-4. The Red Wings were 0/2 on the power play while the Mustangs were 0/1.
When play resumed in the second period, the teams continued their defence-first play. Neither team got any grade A scoring opportunities, despite Weyburn earning a third power play.
However, the game’s first goal would come with just over three minutes left when the Mustangs would win a face-off on the left Wing in Weyburn’s zone. Melfort’s Logan Belton would find the puck and put it past Zol. For Belton, it was his third goal of the series and sixth of the playoffs.
Melfort would take the lead into the second intermission, outshooting Weyburn 9-3 in the period and 14-7 overall in the game.
In the third period, Melfort, who were 18-0-0-2 in one-goal games in the regular season, put on a clinic clogging up the neutral zone. The Mustangs' defence didn’t allow the Red Wings any lanes to the net, holding the hometown team at bay for most of the period, holding on for the 1-0 victory.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-5 in favour of Melfort. Mustangs goaltender Kristian Coombs turned aside 12 shots for his second straight shutout of the final series.
Weyburn’s struggling power play was 0/3 on the night. The Red Wings are now 0/14 in the series.
Melfort leads the best-of-seven final 2-1, game three is in Weyburn on Thursday night.
