With a close first period ending in a 1-1 tie, no one was expecting a six-goal scoring spree. But that’s just what the atom junior Mustangs did to capture a 7-4 win over Takhini Transport Sunday morning in Whitehorse’s peewee house league at the Canada Games Centre.
The Mustangs are now undefeated after four games.
“They’re a very well-coached, hardworking team and they just kept driving the puck and took advantage of our mistakes,” said Takhini Transport coach Mike Cozens. “They’re a very organized team that never quits.”
The rep team began its roll with a pair of goals from Kaine Comin, both backhand shots squeezing through stick-side. Comin then assisted on a goal by Mathew Butler, returning the favour for Butler’s assistance on his second goal.
“We’re really concentrating on playing our positions and that’s key to our game,” said Mustangs coach Wade Comin.
Although the scoreboard didn’t keep up because of a five-goal mercy rule, Mustang Luckas Jirousik scored two goals, the second of which came just 10 seconds into the third period, putting in the puck after it ricocheted off the boards behind the net on a wide shot.
“Jirousek is a very heads-up player; he sees the ice very well and he’s really good at setting up the play,” said Comin. “That’s one of the reasons why we’re trying him out with Kaine (Comin) right now. Kaine is a good offensive player, and they seem to click well and we’re going to keep them together.”
However, Takhini Transport was not without their own string of goals, ending the game with three straight after the Mustangs’ final goal scored by Jesse McCuaig.
Starting the run was Cole Smeeton with a goal, followed by two from defenseman Max Clarke.
“In the third period we stopped skating and stopped moving the puck and they started scoring more goals on us,” said Comin. “So the key to our game is to move the puck, and when we do that, it goes into the net for us.”
“Fortunately our guys didn’t give up and they got three goals there,” said Cozens.
“They got over their mistakes; they got their heads back in the game and played one shift at a time.”
Scoring in the first period were Mustangs Riley Smoler, and Luke McGrath for Transport.
Sunday’s Oldtimer results
Firth
Rangers 5, Klondyke Dental Molars 0
Yukon Inn 4, Medicine Chest 1
Performance Centre Turbos 4, AON Flames 1
Edgewater Hotel 6, Kilrich 5
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com