SWIFT CURRENT -- The Moose Jaw Mustangs showed all sorts of heart in their opening game of the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League Junior season, and they picked up a barnburner of a win because of it.
Despite giving up the game-tying and go-ahead goals to the Swift Current Wolverines 30 seconds apart with four minutes to play, the Mustangs would find a pair of goals of their own in the closing moments to secure an 11-10 victory in Swift Current.
Carson Isnana was the late-game hero, scoring his lone goal of the evening with 1:23 to play to give Moose Jaw the win. That goal came 41 seconds after Ryder Gilroy had tied the contest 10-10.
The entire third period was a back-and-forth battle, as Moose Jaw came in with a 6-4 lead and found themselves ahead 8-5 with 5:30 gone in the period.
Swift Current stormed back in rapid fashion, though, as 23 seconds after the Mustangs took their three-goal lead, Riley Schafer, Carter Lamotte and Brady Simpson would score three goals in 1:04 to tie the game with 13:11 remaining.
Carter Hudyma restored the lead for Moose Jaw with 6:09 remaining, but the Wolverines once again had the answer. A goal from Lamotte with 4:31 to play tied the game and Ryder Turko then gave Swift Current their first lead of the night 28 seconds later.
That set the stage for Isnana and Gilroy as time ran down, and Moose Jaw had their opening night win.
Lukas Salikin led Moose Jaw with a goal and five points, while Gilroy had a hat trick and four points. Braxton Mac Angus added two goals and four points, with Chase McKee scoring twice. Hudyma, Carver Ottenbreit and Isnana all had single markers. Riley Bender added three assists.
Shane Cornelson had a hat trick for the Wolverines, Schafer, Lamotte and Turko all had two goals each. Brady Simpson added a goal and three points, Adam Zanidean had four assists and Paul Piche contributed three helpers.
Keegan Dudley had 34 saves in goal for Moose Jaw, Tyler MacIsaac stopped 33 for the Wolverines.
The Mustangs are back in action on Saturday when they host the Regina Chaos at 7 p.m. at the Kinsmen Arena. Swift Current is back on the floor Friday when they host the Saskatoon SWAT at 8 p.m. at the S3 Arenas West.
