The Moose Jaw 12-and-under Mustangs are off to the start they were hoping for in the South Sask Lacrosse League playoffs.
And they were able to get the job done in dramatic fashion with a 7-6 overtime win Tuesday night in Swift Current against the Rampage 2.
Swift Current got off to a solid start, taking a 3-1 lead out of the first period and holding a 6-5 edge through two. Despite 11 goals being scored in the first two frames, the two squads went into defensive lockdown in the final 15 minutes, setting up a wild finish.
Bentley Messner scored the only goal of the period with 10 seconds remaining, tying things up at six apiece and sending the contest into overtime.
There, Swift Current took a high sticking penalty just over three minutes in and Caidon Arnott would make them pay, scoring the game-winner with 2:45 remaining in the extra frame.
Cooper Fulton led Moose Jaw with a goal and two assists, while Arnott had a goal in the second period to go along with his OT winner.
Rylan Deichert added a goal and an assist, Jaxyn Houle and Kysen Mac Angus had their other markers.
The Mustangs now advance to face the winner of the Regina Crossfire and Regina Titans on Saturday in Swift Current during the SSLL all-leagues playoff tournament.
The Moose Jaw 10-and-under Mustangs finished their regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and face the Weyburn Thrashers (4-8) in their first playoff game Saturday.
The 14-and-under Mustangs also went unbeaten through the regular season at 9-0-2 and do battle with the Regina Waterdogs (8-4) in their playoff opener Friday. Regina advanced to the quarter-final with a 6-5 win over the Regina Outlaws on Tuesday night.
In the 16-and-under division, the Mustangs capped their campaign with a 9-1-2 mark and will take on the Estevan Voltz (1-11-0-2) in their quarter-final on Friday night.
Playoffs throughout the four divisions carry on throughout the weekend, with the league finals slated for all day Sunday.
