The La Ronge Ice Wolves dropped a 6-4 decision to the Melfort Mustangs on Tuesday at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. 

“I thought we were pressuring them, I thought we were being physical, we were establishing the forecheck,” said Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Kevin Kaminski. 

“I thought (Kyle) Ford, (Daylon) Mannon and (Aaron) Greyeyes had a really good night. The first goal was a turnover, we didn’t get the guys off. Second goal, last minute of play, it was a turnover too and you can’t do that. Again, it’s a snowball effect. A team that is fragile, they find ways to lose instead of finding ways to win and that’s what we did again tonight.” 

The Ice Wolves opened the scoring 6:49 into the game when Daylon Mannon found Aaron Greyeyes, who buried his first SJHL goal. The Mustangs would tie the game at one 9:07 into the game when Kenzie Arnold jammed home a rebound past Steven Bacovsky. 

Rowan Barnes notched his first SJHL goal 10:06 into the game after he ripped home the puck from the right circle past Shawn Parkinson, giving La Ronge a 2-1 lead. Kyle Ford continued his strong play and notched his third of the season 17:15 into the contest, which gave the Ice Wolves a 3-1 lead. Luc Marleau was left all alone in tight with a minute left in the frame and he sniped, making it 3-2 game heading into the second. 

Lucas Ochitwa, Alex Rondeau and Zach Anderson all scored for Melfort in the second period, as the Mustangs took a 5-3 lead into the third. 

Melfort’s Alex Rondeau put the final nail the coffin 18:22 into the third with an empty-netter. The Ice Wolves didn’t fold up shop though, as Daylon Mannon notched his first SJHL goal with seven seconds remaining on the power play. 

“We (our line) were buzzing quickly, we found easy chemistry, it was really fun playing with those two guys (Mannon and Greyeyes), it was awesome,” said Ice Wolves forward Kyle Ford. “We just need a whole team effort to get these wins.”

With the loss, the Ice Wolves slipped to 0-3 on the campaign. They will be looking to rebound on Friday at home when they host the Nipawin Hawks at the Mel for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. 

Following Friday’s game, the Ice Wolves travel to Nipawin Saturday for the conclusion of the home-and-home series, before wrapping up their weekend Sunday in Warman against the Kindersley Klippers at the SJHL Showcase. 

(PHOTO: The Ice Wolves met the Mustangs for the first time this season Tuesday. Photo by Braden Malsbury.)