The first two-game winning streak since early December bodes well for the St. Albert Merchants with two games left until the Capital Junior B Hockey League playoffs.
The Merchants (14-18-4) posted victories of 2-1 against the Edmonton Mustangs (17-18-2) Friday and 7-4 against the Wetaskiwin Icemen (25-7-2) Sunday at Akinsdale Arena after going 3-6 in January.
The Merchants close out the regular season tonight against the Edmonton Royals (20-15-1) at Confederation Arena and Friday against the Beaumont Chiefs (26-8-2) in St. Albert. Start times are 8 p.m.
The Merchants and Stony Plain Flyers (15-20-2) are tied for fifth in the west division and where they finish in the standings will determine the playoff opponents for the third-place Morinville Jets (19-15-2) and fourth-place Mustangs in the best-of-three qualifying round.
Against the Mustangs, Peter Corrigan and Cole Gupta (power play) provided the offence for Josh Dechaine, who lost his shutout bid with 3:48 to play. Dechaine (4-3, 3.11 GAA) finished with 39 saves while the Merchants were credited with 37 shots.
Brandon Boughen (6-13, 4.94 GAA) faced 67 shots against the Icemen as the Merchants were outshot 25-12 in the first, 23-18 in the second and 19-8 in the third while posting period leads of 4-1 and 7-3.
The second of three goals by Bryce Sturm made it 5-1 on the power play at 15:31 of the second.
Sturm’s four points increased his team-leading scoring stats to 22 goals and 42 points.
Sam Milner recorded one goal and two assists, while Kole Bryks, Jack Lastwika and Noah Fayad also scored.
Corrigan added three assists and Matt Holzer had a pair of helpers against the CJHL champions the last two years.
