The Ice Wolves fell to the Mustangs 8-2 during game six round one of the SJHL playoffs. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

round one

Playoffs end for Ice Wolves as Mustangs advance after Game 6

Mar 27, 2023 | 3:45 PM

Five powerplay goals by the Melfort Mustangs gave them the edge over the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Sunday and earned them a spot in round two of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Ice Wolves fell 8-2 against the Mustangs during game six of a best of seven series at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. The team had a strong start during the first period, but head coach Kevin Kaminski noted that momentum quickly sizzled out.

“We came out of the gate flying. We had great jump, great energy, great life. We scored one and then it fell apart,” he said.

“They got five power goals. We took bad penalties and that cost us the game. Our penalty kill was really good. We only had two powerplay goals in the first five games. We did a great job defending and everything, but when you give a team that’s skilled with speed and good execution, they are eventually going to make you pay and they did last night.”

The first period ended 1-1 with goals coming from Jacob Visentini and Ben Tkachuk. The Mustangs would go on to score four more times during the second period with David Rioux scoring two and one each from Wyatt Cook and Zac Somers. Cook and Somer would each earn another point in the third with Tye Evans making the eight goal. The Ice Wolves lone goal during the third came from Jacob Cossette.

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“They got pucks through and we didn’t. We either hit sticks, or when we got it through, we missed the net,” Kaminski said.

The Mel Hegland Uniplex was packed on Sunday for Game 6. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“Those are just little things that add up to big things. It was just one of those nights where they seemed to shoot, deflective-wise it went in, they got a couple nice powerplay goals. They found holes last night. Five powerplay goals, that tough to beat.”

With the season now finished for the Ice Wolves, Kaminski explained they will have a good base of players for September. Those aging out and leaving the team are Connor Abric, Trenton Curtis, Ethan Strik and Jerome Walker.

“We’re going to have some tough decisions at 20-year-olds,” Kaminski said. “We’ve got 11 19-year-olds who are going to be 20-year-olds next year. As of right now, we can only keep eight. We are going to have some really tough decisions. I was hoping to be a little bit older, which Melfort had eight 20-year-olds and maybe that showed the difference, but it’s just now the guys have gone through that playoffs experience. Hopefully we can upgrade in a few areas, and, with all those kids coming back, I think we should be set for another productive and successful season.”

The Ice Wolves will next host an awards banquet likely on Friday or Saturday to cap off the season. They will then host a spring camp from May 26-28 just outside of Saskatoon at Aberdeen. Kaminski noted invitations have been sent out, but anyone interested in trying out for the team are welcome to attend.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno