Series tied at one 

The La Ronge Ice Wolves are now tied at one in their best-of-seven series with the Melfort Mustangs following a 3-2 overtime setback Saturday in Melfort. 

“We brought a solid effort, we knew Melfort was going to come out strong,” said Ice Wolves Asst. Coach Kyle Schneider. “Obviously, with us being in their barn, they really needed this one. I thought our guys played well, Smitty was really good in net again.”

The Ice Wolves opened the scoring 4:17 into the first on the power play when Thomas Wright tipped home a Liam McInnis offering from the point past Joel Favreau for his first of the post-season.

It looked like the Ice Wolves were going to head into the third with a 1-0 lead, but Connor Abric found the back of the cage 16:45 into the second, giving La Ronge a 2-0 edge. 

The Mustangs tallied their first of the evening 5:50 into the third when Clarke Huxley beat Dawson Smith upstairs. Melfort tied the game at two 11:55 into the frame after Ben Tkachuk notched his first of the series. 

Three periods solved nothing, so the Ice Wolves and Mustangs needed overtime to settle game two. Just 1:14 into the extra session, Zac Somers scored, giving the Mustangs the victory. 

Meantime, Smith was brilliant again, turning away 29 shots, while Joel Favreau made 20 saves for the victory.

“Obviously, not the finish we wanted tonight,” said Ice Wolves goalie Dawson Smith. “Thanks to everyone for coming out, it was crazy seeing all of our fans here, it was almost as loud as La Ronge.”

The Ice Wolves will now head home for games three and four at the Mel Hegland Uniplex Tuesday and Wednesday night. 

You can get your tickets for games three and four online, at the Ice Wolves office or at the door (depending on availability). The 50/50 pot will start at $4,000 Tuesday courtesy of La Ronge Petroleum. 

Make sure to get to game three early Tuesday to get a thunder stick courtesy of the Northern Village of Air Ronge and a rally towel courtesy of Kitsaki Vegetation Services.