The Whitehorse midget Northern Cross Mustangs aren't the only local hockey team gathering impressive tournament results this season.

The Whitehorse Atom Junior Mustangs came home from a development tournament in Kitimat, B.C. this past weekend undefeated. It was the first tournament of the season for the junior Mustangs, made up of nine- and 10-year-olds. For some of them, it was also their first ever road trip outside the territory.

'They were just pumped,' said Jay Glass, who coaches the team along with Kerry Pettitt and Jeff Monkman. 'They were so happy and excited about this trip for the past few weeks.'

The purpose of road trips at this level, said Glass, is always to have fun and get the kids comfortable with the travel, as well as the hotel accommodations and nutrition portion of the trip.

'This was an $8,000 trip for us, and we played four games so that works out to about $2,000 a game. So obviously we want to get something out of every game as well. We definitely want to help them grow and develop as hockey players.'

Well, if the results are any indication, then it's mission accomplished.

Coming off a 16-hour bus ride, the Mustangs faced Kitimat as soon as they arrived Friday night.

They let a few quick goals go in against them in the first period and were down 3-1 at one point. But that's when the Yukoners showed Glass and the rest of the coaching staff how much character they possess, even at such a young age.

'They just turned it right around, and ended up winning 6-3,' explained Glass. 'I was just in awe of the whole thing, because I've seen it go the other way so many times before.'

The tying goal for the Mustangs was scored by Trevor Whynot in the second period, with the go ahead goal scored by Tyson Glass, with 2:35 left in the second. Goals were also scored by Ryan Chippett, Wyatt Gale, Josh Harlow and Craig Berube. Assists went to Riley Pettitt (2), Jared Steinbach and Tyson.

Game 2 pitted Whitehorse against Smithers, in a morning contest which saw Whitehorse win by a score of 6-1. Willy Oulton led the offensive charge for the Mustangs, potting a pair of goals, while Harlow collected a goal and an assist. Tyler Briemon, Tyson, Austin Turner-Davis and Whynot also found the back of the net.

Matthew McCarthy, Steinbach, Berube and Pettitt each picked up an assist.

On Saturday afternoon, the Mustangs took on Terrace, skating away with a 5-2 victory. It was a huge game for Whitehorse, as the effects of the long bus ride were taking it's toll on their energy, but they kept plugging away relentlessly.

Goal scorers for the Mustangs were Braeden Paun-Burnett, with two goals, Oulton, Tyson and Mike Arnold. Turner-Davis and Liam Janke were each credited with an assist.

The fourth and final contest for Whitehorse was Sunday against Prince Rupert. The game was tied 2-2 after two periods of play, but the final period was dominated by the Mustangs, as they scored three unanswered goals to down Prince Rupert 5-2.

Gale recorded a goal and an assist for Whitehorse while Tyson, Whynot, Harlow and Pettitt also hit the twine. Graeme Close finished the game with two assists while McCarthy had one helper.

'The boys, they really played outstanding in every aspect of the game,' said Glass. 'They were focused. We've got a real group of tough competitors. What we kept hearing from people there, is that the Whitehorse team just keeps coming at you, with all four lines. They just keep pressing constantly.

'You don't usually see that at this age. This group just seems to have that desire to win, and you can't teach that, so it's great for (the coaching staff) that they already have it.'

Goaltending for Whitehorse for the weekend was split evenly between Ty Edmonds and Jacob Alexander, who both played solidly in net. MVPs for the games were Whynot, Tyson, Close and Pettitt.

The scoring was well spread out, as each player contributed at least one point over the four games. And on top of that, their discipline was also exemplary, said the coaching staff. Defensively, they only gave up eight goals in four games which, at the atom development level, is remarkable.

A Saturday afternoon skills competition also saw Whitehorse take second place, after a shootout tiebreaker.

They won the speed portion of the competition, with their excellent skating skills.

Now the atoms will prepare for a road trip to Edmonton in the spring. They currently practice once a week and also face off against a pee wee house team every Friday.

They may have bit of luck on their side this year.

One of the players won the 50-50 draw at a game in Kitimat and then another player picked up the dough in the 50-50 draw at Monday night's game between the Northern Cross Mustangs and North Shore Winterhawks.