麻豆社区

An untimely penalty late in the game proved costly for the Midget A Mustangs last night in their quest to snap their losing streak prior to the Christmas break.

With Braeden Paun-Burnett in the box for contact, Nathan Dumont scored a late powerplay goal that stood up to be the winner as

SLFS/Murphy Built beat the last-place Mustangs 4-3, extending their losing streak to four games.

Former Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL player Justin Quigley had two goals and an assist to lead SLFS/Murphy Built, while Alain Desrochers rounded out the scoring.

The team evened its record to 9-9-2, good for third place in the league with 20 points.

"We had a slow start, but we're starting to come around,鈥� Quigley told the Star after the game.

The 脡cole 脡milie-Tremblay teacher leads his club in scoring with 15 goals and 21 assists in 17 games.

He said he looks forward to matchups with the Midget A Mustangs.

"I enjoy playing them because they're a lot faster than the other opponents we normally face in the league. It's just good to see the kids get out and try to develop their skills.鈥�

On his 15th birthday, Mustangs forward Alex Hanson picked up a goal and an assist to move into second in team scoring with 23 points, while linemate and captain Mike Arnold also scored once and had an assist.

Back in Whitehorse this week, Prince George Cariboo Cougars forward Riley Pettitt added three assists while playing on the Mustangs top line.

Chase Hobbis rounded out the scoring in the loss.

A year after winning the A Division rec league championship, the Mustangs have limped out to a 5-13-1 record in the first half. The team has struggled to learn the new systems implemented by new head coach Kerry Pettitt.

"We are making good progress,鈥� Pettitt said. "It's a little slower than I thought it would be, but the guys are starting to buy into some of the other techniques.鈥�

He admitted that the team is currently working on their third new powerplay breakout system 鈥� which includes keeping a forward high, three players in motion through the neutral zone, and hard passes along the boards 鈥� but believes it will be beneficial in the long run.

"We'll stick to this one,鈥� he said. "I like that it offers a lot of options for them.鈥�

A bright spot early on has been Hanson, who trails only Arnold's 33 points in team scoring in his rookie year.

"It's going pretty good,鈥� he said of his year, which includes 12 goals and 11 assists in 18 games. "I didn't really imagine this start. It's definitely a faster game, but a game or two and I was able to get used to it.鈥�

He said a few tweaks and the Mustangs will once again be flying high.

"Just the little things,鈥� he said post-game. "Working hard, backchecking, moving our feet. We're working on our powerplay right now, so once we can get that clicking, we'll be able to get more goals.鈥�

Hanson said next year, he will be moving Outside to play hockey 鈥� in one of Prince George, Moose Jaw or Lethbridge.

Mustangs goalie Youge Blackburn was sharp in net, but saw his record drop to 1-7 with a 5.88 GAA.

The game marked the 17-year-old's first ice time in a week as he recovered from an illness.

"I was sort of worried coming back out on the ice. My gear was all crusty. It wasn't broken in,鈥� Blackburn said. "But I did O.K.鈥�

He believes the team's struggles are simple.

"Some people bring their game one game, and then the rest of the team will bring their game another game,鈥� the F.H. Collins Grade 12 student explained. "We've just got to all sort of focus every game so we can play the best we can.鈥�

Roadhouse 6, Southpaw/Rednex 4

In last night's second contest at Takhini Arena, Roadhouse scored three goals late in the game to down the league's second-place team 6-4.

Roadhouse's leading scorer Matt Horsey netted two unassisted goals, including the winner, and Clint Teichrobe scored an insurance goal with 19 seconds left to complete his hat trick and seal the win. Mark King rounded out the scoring in the win.

Roadhouse improved to 9-9-1 and is tied with Yukon Brewing for fourth in the league with 19 points.

Clayton Thomas had two goals and an assist for Southpaw/Rednex, and Aren Coates added a pair of his own. Cory Magnuson and Spencer Tomlin each picked up two assists.

NOTES: The Midget Mustangs next game action will be a AA tournament in Lloydminster, Alta. in early January. Air North leads the league with a 18-1 record and 36 points, while Southpaw/Rednex is in second with a 12-7-1 record and 25 points. Air North's only loss in the first half came at the hands of Roadhouse, 8-4, Oct. 21. Air North's Evan Campbell (24G, 26A) and Yukon Brewing's Derek Klassen (18G, 32A) are tied for the league scoring lead with 50 points.