麻豆社区

Despite rapping off two quick wins to start their tournament last weekend in Abbotsford, B.C., the Whitehorse Midget A Mustangs failed to build on that momentum, eventually losing in the semifinal.

The Vernon Coca-Cola Vipers won the 16th Abbotsford International 2012 Midget Memorial Tier 3 Hockey Tournament, dropping the Wenatchee Wild by a score of 6-4 on Monday.

After finishing first in their pool during round-robin play, the Mustangs finished tied for third in the tournament, losing their semifinal matchup 6-3 to Wenatchee on Sunday.

Kole Comin scored twice, and Alexander Hanson also lit the lamp, but it wasn't enough for the Mustangs to move on. Two shorthanded goals against didn't help the cause.

Head coach Kerry Pettitt said he was happy with his club's showing, especially with the way they played under his new offensive system.

Pettitt has worked hard to overhaul the Mustangs' breakout strategy in his first season at the helm.

"The rec league will only challenge that part way,鈥� the coach admitted. "Once we're in a contact game, and maybe guys get in panic mode, that's where we see: Is it working? Will it carry us through? Do we need to keep working with this, or what changes do we need to tweak?鈥�

Pettitt said a lot of his players would resort to his new strategies when under pressure 鈥� a good sign.

"It's small minor changes, so I'm pretty pleased with what the boys have accepted already in the changes and being able to carry it through to the games,鈥� he told the Star. "I had hoped to get to the crossover, but I wasn't sure what to expect because

I changed some of their structure.鈥�

The Mustangs opened their tournament Friday by coming back from a 4-2 deficit against the Washington Hornets to win 5-4.

Goals came from Mike Arnold, Liam Webster (2), Jarret Malchow and Graeme Close.

"We clawed back,鈥� said Pettitt. "That just shows we had the resolve and the desire to stick with the plan and it paid off. That's a great character builder to carry forward and keep in the memory banks. We can relate back to that game.鈥�

The Mustangs also won their second game, besting the Langley Eagles 4-2.

Webster got the Mustangs on the board, and Arnold netted a pair 鈥� including the winner 鈥� before Comin iced it with an empty-net goal.

However, the team came out flat Saturday against North Vancouver, and dropped their third game 3-1. Arnold netted a second period goal as his team got into penalty trouble.

Prior to the game, Pettitt named Arnold team captain, while Close and Matt McCarthy were named assistants.

Pettitt said he felt his club had a chance to win the tournament.

"We're right there,鈥� he said. "It was one of those tournaments that whoever brings it on the given day or that game, really is what's going to do the job.鈥�

Winning aside, Pettitt said for the moment he is trying to give his players equal playing time at tournaments.

"They need that development, and they need the opportunity to make the mistakes and learn and get better,鈥� he explained.

The Mustangs next Midget A tournament action will be held here, when the club hosts Aldergrove during Hockey Day in Whitehorse.