OGDEN — Back-to-back matchups between the Ogden Mustangs and the Casper Warbirds took on a bigger meaning Friday and Saturday night at the Ice Sheet.

The pair of games marked the team’s Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend, offering fans a chance to show their support for those who have experienced and continue to be afflicted by the illness.

Mustangs owner Sean Wilmert told the Standard-Examiner that raising awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a team staple ever since he took the reins.

“With this month, obviously the timing is good to bring awareness to breast cancer — and all cancers for that matter,” he said. “As far as Breast Cancer Awareness (Weekend), I purchased the team five years ago and we’ve done it every year since then. This is one of our two specialty nights that I’m very passionate about with the health care side of things — this one and autism awareness as well.”

He said there’s a reason that raising awareness for breast cancer has become so important to him.

“I had a family member — not immediate family, but an aunt — that suffered from breast cancer,” he said. “She caught it early and it was cured, but it’s just so prevalent yet so preventable if caught early. To bring awareness to it and to keep it front of mind so women are getting mammograms and really taking care of that side of it can help out so much.”

Wilmert said the team’s way of commemorating breast cancer awareness has continued to evolve since he bought the team.

“We do specialty jerseys,” he said. “The boys are wearing pink jerseys, pink socks and then we auction (the jerseys) off for the fans to wear throughout the year.”

He said a portion of the proceeds goes to breast cancer-centric charities and that the event usually raises $5,000-$7,000 each year.

According to Tim Smith, director of sales and marketing for the Mustangs, 26 jerseys were auctioned this weekend — 16 at the two games and 10 online — but the amount raised won’t be known until after the online auctions are finalized.

“We have some of the best fans that I’ve ever seen in hockey,” Wilmert said. “Our turnout is great. The arena holds roughly 2,000 and (at) these events, we usually get in that 1,500-2,000 range on most of our specialty nights. Obviously, it depends on if there’s a Weber State football game or something like that, but we usually do very well. Our fans are passionate hockey fans, but they’re also passionate on the community and helping out special causes like breast cancer awareness.”

Both nights also were successful for the Mustangs, who recorded two shutouts.

On Friday, the Mustangs beat the Warbirds 1-0 on a Brody Simko goal, with Mustangs goalie Hunter Bauer saving 21 shots.

Saturday saw the Mustangs take down the Warbirds 3-0 on goals from Simko, AJ Iwinski and Leo Burns. Mustangs goalie Dilans Birkans saved all 25 shots that came his way.

The Mustangs continue to lead the National Collegiate Development Conference’s Mountain Division at 7-2-1.