Junior Mustangs Score Overtime Victory
After grabbing a 5 - 0 lead the Moose Jaw Junior Mustangs managed to hang on to score an 8 - 7 overtime victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blizzard in Prairie Gold Lacrosse League action on Friday evening.
Playing in front of well over 100 fans the Mustangs came out with a seemingly commanding 5 - 0 lead at the end of the first period.
The Mustangs would extend the lead to 5 - 0 until the Blizzard’s scoring froze the Mustangs in their tracks.
The victory is the first one of the season for the Mustangs that now sport a 1 - 2 record.
A jumping break resulted in one of the Mustangs’ five first period goals - MJ Independent photo
“It was good. Manitoba is a really good team but I think we’re a really good team too and we matched up really good against them,” Quinn Ingalls Mustangs’ head coach said after the overtime victory.”
Ingalls, who was filling in for the night, said he was unaware of the Mustangs dropping their first two games making the victory more special - especially given the quality of the evening’ opponent.
“I think Manitoba does a pretty good job when it comes to pressuring but I think we handled that pretty well. We played well and stayed at it. I think the boys really rallied after a hot start,” he said.
Mustangs’ Colton Ebbett - MJ Independent photo
Asked if he was worried after seeing a five goal lead evaporated he said it was momentary.
“There obviously was a point when there was some doubt but obviously we crossed that point of the game and there was some momentum behind us.”
“We had a great first period and then in the second period we kind of came out flat. In the third period, we were kind of undisciplined, but in the overtime it all worked out,” Ingalls said.
Mustangs’ Cooper Bruce (right) tries to evade the Blizzard’s Griffin Brown - MJ Independent photo
Overtime saw the Mustangs dominating the play getting lots of quality shots on Blizzard’s goalie Mason Grant who came up with some great key saves.
The play would head to the Mustangs’ end but the Blizzards could not contain it there and an ensuing breakaway by Colton Ebbett would end up with a shot turning out to be the game winner.
“It was exhilarating,” he said about winning in overtime, adding “I wasn’t expecting that three on three overtime usually, it’s five on five but they changed up the rules. It’s really nice to get that over with.”
The referee goes down low to call this goal line save for Blizzard’s net minder Mason Grant - MJ Independent photo
SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
Moose Jaw’s Ryder Gilroy opened the scoring early at 19:45 assisted by Cooper Bruce and Colton Ebbett.
The Mustangs went up 2 - 0 when 7 Riley Bender scored a shorthanded goal at 14:10 assisted by Hayden Tuer.
The third Mustang goal was scored by Colter Goodwill at 5:41.
It was 4 - 0 after the Mustang’s Ryder Gilroy scored short handed at 1:53 assisted by Tye Farnsworth.
The Mustangs’ fifth goal was scored with 41 seconds left in the first period by Nate Lewko assisted by Cooper Bruce.
Mustangs’ Tye Farnsworth (right) fences with the Blizzard’s defender for a loose ball - MJ Independent photo
Second Period
The Blizzard came alive in the second period when Brody Desjardins scored his first goal of the season shorthanded at 13:33 assisted by Davinault LaFreniere.
Penalties cost the Mustangs as the Blizzard’s Davinault LaFreniere scored a powerplay goal at 12:37 assisted by Jackson Rampersad and Reid Davis.
Winnipeg would add their second powerplay goal at 10:49 when Owen Hamilton Scored assisted by Winston Hooker-Ridgen and Jackson Rampersad.
Griffin Brown would score an unassisted goal for Winnipeg at 4:35.
Moose Jaw would respond before the period was out when Ryder Gilroy scored with 42 seconds left in the period assisted by Cooper Bruce.
Mustangs’ Cooper Bruce lunges with the ball while being chased down floor - MJ Independent photo
Third Period
Ryder Gilroy would give Moose Jaw a three goal lead when he scored at 18:08 assisted by Chase Folk and Hayden Tuer.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs the Blizzard once again began scoring goals.
Owen Hamilton would score a powerplay goal for Winnipeg at 13:55 assisted by Jackson Rampersad and Winston Hooker-Ridgen.
Winnipeg would continue the scoring barrage at 11:57 when Owen Hamilton scored his hat trick goal assisted by Finn Spencer and 10 Benett Luke.
The Blizzard would tie things up at 4:04 when Jackson Rampersad scored assisted by Winston Hooker-Ridgen.
A fight over the ball in the corner - MJ Independent photo
Overtime Period
The Mustangs’ Colton Ebbett would break in and score the unassisted overtime winner at 15:21 of the three on three overtime period.
Squaring off - MJ Independent photo
The Junior Mustangs next game is at the Kinsmen Sportsplex on Friday May 15th at 8 pm versus the Weyburn Razorbacks.
