The two teams opened their South Saskatchewan Lacrosse League playoffs with commanding wins this week, with the Bantam Mustangs taking a 12-3 victory over the Regina Raiders on Wednesday night at Mosaic Place a day after the Midget Mustangs rolled to a 15-1 victory over Standing Buffalo in their first-round game.
Bantam Mustangs 12, Regina 3
Things were fairly close in the early going as the Mustangs nursed a 2-1 lead out of the first period. They opened things up with four second period goals, though, and added six more in the third – five of those in a span of 3:37 early in the period – to secure the win.
“We’ve got a group here with some potential, and we want them to maximise their potential,” said Mustangs coach Steve Michaluk. “Last night we came out ready and the guys looked good, they were all making plays. We had 18 runners and two goalies and every one of them was making plays, and we’ll need every one of them if we’re going to keep things going like they have.”
Carter Michaluk finished the game with three goals and two assists to lead the assault, while Rowan Calvert chipped in three markers of his own. Dalton Cushway and Mason Williams each had two goals, Colton Ebbett and Davin Williams their other markers.
Walker Williams and Luke Andrews split time in goal.
Next up is the championship tournament in Estevan this weekend, which will feature the best of the best from the SSLL.
“It’s like I told the boys last night, every game is going to get tougher,” Michaluk said. “They have to be prepared for that and ready to go right from the first game. We want to keep rolling and keep up that great effort, because they are a great group and a lot of fun to work with.”
The Mustangs (10-0 regular season) continue their playoff tourney Saturday afternoon against the Swift Current Rampage TT (5-5)
Mustangs 15, Standing Buffalo 1
It took a little over eight minutes for the Bantam Mustangs to get going, but when they did, it was all hands on deck as they poured in seven goals over the final 11:22 of the period.
Kael Nichols led the Mustangs with five goals and an assist while Atley Calvert scored four times, including his team’s first three markers. Blake Butler added two goals, Ethan Johnson a goal and two assists. Caelan Fitzpatrick, Jacob Gyman and Brennan Watterson had one goal each.
Mac Simpson and Bryden Kerr were in goal.
The Midget Mustangs (10-0-0) next play at 8 a.m. Saturday against the winner of the Regina Inferno (5-5-0) and Regina Snipers (5-5-0).
Novice, Pee Wee playoffs
Both the Novice and Pee Wee Mustangs are also in playoff tournaments in Estevan this weekend.
The Novice 1 Mustangs (2-6-2) take on the Weyburn Thrashers (5-4-1) in their opener Thursday, with the Novice 2 Mustangs (5-4-1) facing the Swift Current Rampage MW (6-2-2) on Friday night.
The Pee Wee 1 Mustangs (5-4-1) lost their opener in the double knockout tournament 10-5 to Swift Current (6-3-1) on Tuesday and will take on the Estevan Voltz (2-8-0) on Thursday. The Pee Wee Mustangs 2 (4-5-1) defeated Estevan 6-4 in their opener Tuesday and will play the unbeaten Weyburn Thrashers (9-0-1) Thursday in their second-round game.
