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Mustangs bested by the Bandits at Western Canada Cup

May 2, 2016 | 9:12 PM

The Melfort Mustangs have started the Western Canada Cup winless in their first two games.

They were beaten by the Brooks Bandits 3-0 Monday, May 2, in Estevan.

The Bandits are one of two undefeated teams in the tournament, the other being the Portage Terriers who both sit at 2-0. The Terriers beat the Mustangs on Saturday 2-1 in the first game of the tournament.

The Mustangs are still very much alive in the tournament. Four of the five tournament teams qualify for the knockout stages.

Rough first period

The Bandits built a 3-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes. Jeff Malott scored the first two goals, while Jared Cockrell added the third.

Ty Mappin, who played three games with the Prince Albert Raiders this season, got an assist on the second Bandits’ goal. Another Bandits forward, Landon Welykholowa, was a former third round pick of the Raiders in 2011.

Pair of majors

Mustangs forward Craig Leverton and defenceman Eric Sinclair were both levied with major penalties in Monday’s game.

Leverton was levied a crosschecking major with four minutes remaining in the game. Sinclair was ejected from the game after receiving a major boarding penalty five minutes into the third period.

Leverton scored 25 points in 30 games since joining the Mustangs. Sinclair was the Mustangs’ highest scoring defenceman in the regular season with 45 points in 58 games.

Looking ahead

The Mustangs play the tournament hosting Estevan Bruins (0-2) for Tuesday’s game at 7 p.m. The Portage Terriers (2-0) will play the West Kelowna Warriors (1-1).

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow