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The Whitehorse Midget A Mustangs hope they've saved their best for last.

The local rep hockey club will attempt to resurrect a mostly forgettable season next week when they compete at the provincial championships in Port Alberni, B.C.

After winning the Rec A title last season, the Mustangs stumbled out of the gate this season, eventually finishing last with a 9-20-2 record.

New head coach Kerry Pettitt implemented a new system over the course of the season, and he feels his players have finally grasped the fresh techniques recently.

He believes that bodes well for the provincial championships.

"The last four league games have been really good 鈥� a lot of positives there,鈥� Pettitt said Wednesday. "They're starting to use the tools we've been offering, so I think we're ready. The tools are in the toolbox, and if they just remember that they're there, and to use them, it works well.

"If we can deliver the focus we need, we'll compete in every game, and that's all you can ask for. I don't see us not getting at least into the crossover.鈥�

The Mustangs competed at two Outside tournaments this season, losing a semifinal game in Abbotsford in November, and missing a semifinal appearance by one point in Lethbridge last month.

"We grew a lot,鈥� Pettitt said of the out-of-town competition.

Team captain Mike Arnold led the Mustangs in scoring this season with 25 goals and 27 assists. He said focus will be the key to his team's success at provincials.

"We want to get into a medal game for sure,鈥� Arnold told the Star. "It's been a while since Whitehorse has done good at these things. I think with the group we have, we can do it. Skill is not going to be enough to win this tournament. It's going to take a lot of grit, blocking shots, getting pucks deep, quick shifts.鈥�

The Mustangs are currently sitting third in the Rec A hockey playoffs, thanks in some measure to the return of standout forwards Riley Pettitt and Tyson Glass, who had been playing outside the territory.

Arnold's six goals and two assists is second only to Pettitt's nine points in team playoff scoring.

"We know we had a tough start getting used to the new system, but we're coming back and we're starting to peak a little, right in time for provincials,鈥� Arnold said. "It's a tough system to learn, but once you've got it in the brain, you work off of it and it's a great system. If everyone's focused and ready to go, it's going to be a great tournament.鈥�

Arnold's been to the provincial tournament before, and the senior forward admitted he is hoping to go out on top this year.

"It's tough hockey,鈥� Arnold said of the championships. "We go to Tier 2 tournaments and we come to this one and think it's going to be easy, but it's all the top Tier 3 teams. It's tougher hockey than the tournaments we go to. We can't take any of the teams lightly. You just have to work as hard as you can, and good things will happen.鈥�

Pettitt said he was concerned that seven of his players have recently spent time on holidays over March Break.

"I'm certainly concerned if they're going to be game ready, especially walking into full contact,鈥� he said. "We're going to have to watch and manage that.鈥�

Following provincials, the Mustangs will return to Whitehorse in the thick of a playoff race.

Arnold said facing elite competition in Port Alberni will help put his team in a winning mindset.

"I think we're going to be able to get back into rec league with our legs, and be ready to go,鈥� he said.

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Game schedule

Whitehorse Mustangs, Div. A

鈥� Sunday, March 17

Whitehorse vs. Whistler, 7:30 a.m.

Whitehorse vs. Quesnel, 4:45 p.m.

鈥� Monday, March 18

Whitehorse vs. Castlegar, 5:30 p.m.

鈥� Wednesday, March 20

Whitehorse vs. Victoria, 10 a.m.

鈥� Thursday, March 21

1st Div. A vs. 2nd Div. B, 3 p.m.

1st Div. B vs. 2nd Div. A, 6 p.m.

鈥� Friday, March 22

Bronze medal game, 8 a.m.

Gold medal game, 11 a.m.