The Yukon AWG Bantam Mustangs rebounded after a tough opening night shootout loss to the Northwest Territories (NWT) AWG Bantams to claim their first victory on Saturday in the four-game series.

This was the second game of the series and first of two on the day. The game was highlighted by a great move by Mustangs' forward David Stephens where he poked the puck past the NWT defenseman, side stepped around him and then used his speed to break in uncontested to score the go-ahead goal with just 41 seconds left in the second.

"That was a good goal," said Mustangs' co-coach Jim Stephens. "Anytime you can get a goal in the last minute of the period that's a big lift for your team."

Even the players on the Mustangs' bench showed a great deal of energy at the start of the first and sounds of sticks pounding against the boards in support of the five players on the ice could be heard throughout the whole arena.

This enthusiasm seemed to light a fire under the on ice Mustang players, who wasted no time in cycling the puck deep into the NWT zone, creating all kinds of pressure for the opposing squad.

Mustangs' goalie, Steven Harlow was also sharp early on in stopping a partial breakaway at around the halfway point of the period. Harlow outweighed the shooter and stayed square with the shot to make the save look easy.

The first big hit of the game also went in favour of the Mustangs when a defenseman on the team knocked down an NWT forward who had cut across the ice with a clean check just before he was about to enter the zone. The player, although somewhat shaken, was uninjured and cheers could be heard immediately after the hit was made.

Just a few minutes later, the first goal of the game was scored by Mustangs' player Bryden Cook. Cook used his speed to break into the NWT zone and beat their goalie, Kent Nilson, with a well placed wrist shot. The period ended with the Mustangs being ahead 1-0.

Both teams traded scoring chances in the second period, but after a couple of good saves by each goalie it was the NWT who were able to draw even with the Mustangs, netting a goal at 16:23. Zach Schofield scored the goal after being set up from behind the net, beating the sliding Harlow.

The Mustangs put the pressure on midway through the period, creating a scramble in front of the NWT net, but despite Nilson being down and seemingly out he still managed to get hold and smother the puck for a face off, ending the scoring threat.

It looked like the game was destined to go into the third period tied up at one, when Stephens got past the NWT defenseman and streaked into the zone to score the highlight reel goal. There was a delayed reaction to the goal as it just managed to make it over the line, giving the Mustangs their second lead of the game. The score was 2-1 heading into the final frame.

The third was the Mustangs best period of the game. The team seemed to really settle down and quickly took charge, passing and controlling the puck with ease. The Mustangs also began to use their speed effectively, which created additional chances and opportunities to put the game out of reach for the NWT.

It didn't take long for the team to notch their third goal of the contest, scoring at just over the 15 minute mark of the frame.

Gibson Pearson snapped a quick shot past Nilson after a nice setup pass was made by Cook from behind the net.

Harlow continued to be strong for the remainder of the game when called upon; making a couple of difficult saves to preserve the Mustangs' two goal lead.

Before the game ended the crowd of just under 50 people applauded the hard work of both teams involved. The final score of the contest was 3-1.

Stephens said his team performed well, but he thinks they can play better.

"We would like to build on today's game and again bring it up to another level," he said. "We know our team can play a little bit better. The NWT is a good team and this is a great opportunity for us to get tuned up for Arctic Winter Games playing against them."

He said it felt good to win for the first time in the series.

"It was a big game to win," he said.

"You don't want to be down two games and then you can't win it, plus it is harder to play if you are down two. That third game is even tougher to play, so hopefully we can get up two (wins) and that should help us in the final game to have that momentum."

Stephens said it is important to play against a team that is so close in parity to the Mustangs.

"We would rather be playing a tough team than a team we are going to easily beat because again if we want to be successful in Arctic Winter Games, we are going to have teams as good or better than NWT," he said. "We need to get used to playing against that level of hockey and also for provincials too. It's great that our kids can have a series like this with the NWT, prior to Arctics."

Pearson, a forward on the Bantam Mustangs, said the team played fairly well in the game.

"The first and second periods weren't our best, but we played quite well in the third," he said. "We were passing tape to tape, everything went well."

Pearson, 14, has been playing hockey for 10 years and his position is right-wing on the team. This is the first year he has played for the Bantam Mustangs.

He said it was a little nerving playing in front of the home crowd at first, but the team has gotten over it.

"You go out there and give it your best," Pearson said. "When you score everybody cheers. It's fun."

Pearson thinks the team is improving and hopes they can use the Bantam series to continue to do so.