The Weyburn Red Wings have drawn first blood in the opening game of the SJHL Final in Melfort with a 2-1 victory over the Mustangs.
In the opening period, the defending champion Mustangs controlled much of the play in the Red Wings' end. Still, the only way that they could find a way to beat Weyburn netminder Angelo Zol was a Red Wings miscue at the offensive blueline. A bobbled puck by Weyburn allowed Melfort’s Zayden Sadlemeyer to use his speed to sneak in on a breakaway, where he would make no mistake to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
Late in the opening frame, Weyburn got an opportunity on the man advantage. However, they couldn’t find a way to get set up, and their league-worst postseason power play was held off the scoresheet.
Melfort would take a 1-0 advantage into the intermission. Despite the lead on the score clock, Weyburn would outshoot the Mustangs 11-9 in the opening period.
The second period started like the first period ended, with Melfort controlling the puck and pouring the pressure on. The first three minutes of the period were almost entirely in Weyburn’s end, but the Mustangs could not find a way to beat Zol.
Undiscipline started to creep into both teams' games as players pushed for open space. Melfort would get three power-play chances in the opening 15 minutes of the second frame. The last one, however, would hurt as, while short-handed, Weyburn’s Jerome Maharaj would read a pass at the blue line and break away to the Melfort zone, where a backhand-forehand move resulting in a shot off the tip of Melfort’s Kristian Coombs' glove, gave Weyburn the equalizer, 1-1.
Penalties would continue to play a factor. With 2:39 left in the period, Mustangs forward Nolan Roberts would be assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for checking to the head. Weyburn would be unable to capitalize on the power play, which would spill over to the third period.
Shots on goal in the second period were 14-5 in favour of the Mustangs, with the teams tied 1-1 heading into the dressing room.
To start the third period, the Mustangs relentlessly pressured the puck, not allowing the Red Wings to set up the power play. The Mustangs' penalty killers were successful in killing off the major penalty. However, the Mustangs' undisciplined play continued, as they immediately gave Weyburn another man advantage after an interference penalty.
The Mustangs would successfully kill off that penalty, thanks in part to Weyburn being assessed a handling-the-puck penalty.
During the subsequent penalty, Melfort appeared to score the go-ahead goal. Zayden Sadlemeyer stick-handled to the slot and rang the puck off the crossbar despite goal horns and celebrations by his teammates, the referee immediately waived no-goal.
Play continued, and as Ethan Dekay exited the box for Weyburn, he took a pass at the Melfort blue line and broke in on the Melfort goal, slipping the puck between the legs of Melfort’s Coombs to give Weyburn a 2-1 lead.
After the goal, there was a brief delay for an SJHL first. The play was under video review.
Before the game, the SJHL announced it would introduce video review for the final series. In addition to determining the validity of goals, officials and coaches could investigate whether goals resulted from offside plays using six criteria.
The Melfort chance was confirmed not to be a goal, and Weyburn’s lead was 2-1.
As the third period continued, the game tightened up, with neither team able to find the back of the net.
Weyburn would hang on for a 2-1 game-one win, outshooting Melfort 12-5 in the third period. The shots were tied 28-28 overall in the game, and both teams were 0/4 on the powerplay.
Game two is in Melfort on Sunday night.
