MELFORT 鈥� Melfort Mustangs forward Justin Ball has been on an incredible tear this season.
As of Sunday, Ball led the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with 40 goals and 66 points in 37 games. Until last week, the 20-year-old from Saskatoon had a 33-game point streak. From Sept. 20 to Dec. 22, Ball recorded at least a point in every game.
鈥淚f I鈥檓 honest, I don鈥檛 have an answer for how I am able to get points. My mind is usually never on that subject,鈥� Ball said. 鈥淭he only thing I want to think about is going out and playing my hardest. If the points come, then great, if not then I don鈥檛 think much of it, as long as I鈥檓 sure I do whatever is in my control on the ice.鈥�
While Ball has led the way, a team effort has helped the Mustangs to a 24-11-2-0 record, as of Sunday. That was the third best record in the SJHL after the weekend. Ball鈥檚 linemate, captain Carson Albrecht, was third in the league with 56 points. Ball and Albrecht have proven to be a dangerous duo. They both have the ability to pass or to shoot the puck. Tanner Zentner often plays on their line and has 32 points in 31 games. Defenceman Kayle Tosh paced SJHL blue liners with 42 points. Many other players, including goaltenders Shawn Parkinson and Hunter Arps, have contributed.
鈥淭he thing I enjoy most about playing in Melfort are my teammates, coaches, billets, and the town itself,鈥� Ball said.
He has racked up many awards and accolades this season. Ball was the RBC SJHL Player of the Month for both November and December and runner-up for September/October. In December, he had 12 goals and six assists in only seven games. Ball has been named the Canalta Hotels SJHL Player of the Week three times, as of Sunday.
After recording 21 points, with nine goals, in 44 games for the Saskatoon Contacts midget AAA team in 2015-2016, Ball posted eight goals and 18 points in 48 games as a Mustangs rookie. He more than doubled that last season with 24 goals and 24 assists in 50 contests.
鈥淢y game has developed from a more fourth line/grinder-type of role to a goal-producing role,鈥� Ball said. 鈥淭hat is thanks to my coaches allowing me to play in all types of situations and allowing me to gain confidence and experience in the league to be better and help my team as much as I can.鈥�
He has billeted with Barb and Earl Davis for three years and said they are awesome.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 begin to thank them enough for what they鈥檝e done for me,鈥� Ball said. 鈥淏illets are huge for players, because they are a home away from home. Besides the rink, players spend the most time at their billet home and to have a great billet is unreal.鈥�
Ball is focused on doing what he can to help the Mustangs have a successful season and playoff run in his final Junior A season. He hopes to study and play at a Canadian or American university next season. 鈥淚 love hockey and want to keep playing, but education is so important and it鈥檚 time I start working towards a degree,鈥� he said. 鈥淧laying hockey and going to school is my next goal.鈥�
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Hawks Still Strong
The new year brought more of the same success to the Nipawin Hawks. With a weekend sweep of Sherwood Division rival Melfort, the Hawks started 2019 off with two victories. The team is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games. Nipawin鈥檚 27-10-1-1 record put it on top of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings as of Sunday. The Hawks鈥� 56 points in the standings were three more than second-place Kindersley鈥檚 53.
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This week
The Nipawin Hawks were slated to host the Flin Flon Bombers on Tuesday and the Humboldt Broncos on Friday. The Broncos and Hawks tangle on Saturday in Humboldt. It will be the first time the Broncos and Hawks have played since the team parted ways with head coach Nathan Oystrick.
The Melfort Mustangs also have a trio of games this week. Melville was to visit on Wednesday with the Flin Flon Bombers coming on Friday night. On Saturday, the Mustangs and Bombers will play in Flin Flon.
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