By paNOW Staff

Mustangs claim SJHL championship

Apr 17, 2015 | 8:45 AM

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Melfort Mustangs are on top of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The Mustangs blanked the Notre Dame Hounds 4-0 in Game 4 on Thursday in Wilcox, sweeping the Notre Dame Hounds to win the Canalta Cup, their first since 1996.

Richard Palmer made 29 saves for his second shutout of the playoffs, and went 12-2 in the postseason, with a 2.07 GAA, .922 save percentage to be named co-playoff MVP along with forward Adam Fauchoux, who racked up 14 goals in 14 post-season games. Fauchoux is one of nine former Mintos and four Prince Albert boys on the team.

Fauchoux was held off the board in Game 4, for just the second time in the playoffs.  David Heath opened the scoring on a first-period penalty shot, before the Mustangs scored three in the second to round out the scoring, thanks to Justin Boyer, Sheldon Argent (SH) and Nick Hermary.

The Mustangs advance to the Western Canada Cup (WCC) in Fort McMurray, Alta, which begins next weekend.  The host Fort McMurray Oil Barons, and MJHL Champion and RBC host Portage Terriers are already part of the WCC field.  The other two spots are yet to be determined, as the Penticton Vees lead the Nanaimo Clippers 3-2 in the BCHL final, and the Spruce Grove Saints holding a 3-1 edge on the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL championship series.

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