The team auctioned off game jerseys, both online and during the games, as well as roughly $13,000 worth of merchandise donated by local and national businesses through a separate silent auction.

“It’s amazing. I mean, this community is outstanding,” Mustangs team owner Sean Wilmert said.

Some of the big-ticket items in the silent auction included a signed Alex Ovechkin Washington Capitals jersey, a signed Utah Hockey Club stick and an outdoor propane firepit.

Last year, the silent auctions raised about $6,000; the team’s goal this year was $10,000, according to Mustangs director of sales and marketing Tim Smith.

All of the proceeds are going to the Northern Utah Autism Program (NUAP), a preschool program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to NUAP’s website.

“One hundred percent, this night is about the kids,” Smith said.

The team has been sponsoring Autism Awareness weekends since Wilmert and his wife Kim bought the team in 2020 and, Smith said, it’s the second year proceeds will go to NUAP.

“We moved here 20 years ago and we’ve been involved in hockey the whole time. (This community really comes) together for the cause,” Wilmert said. “And it probably helps even more that we’re keeping everything locally here, and doing that for these local kids and families.”

It’s one of the team’s three promotional weekends throughout the season, along with Breast Cancer Awareness in October and Military Appreciation in November.

Mustangs head coach and general manager Kenny Orlando said these events help the team feel closer to and more involved in the community.

“The dedication is big — not just from the team and the efforts we put on to make sure that it’s a good show but also the dedication that we have from these community sponsors, certain individuals that are bringing things in here of very high-end value for us to continue to put money toward autism research. It’s great,” Orlando said.

Fans put down some big numbers for the auctioned items and the Mustangs, the top-scoring team in their division, also put up some big numbers on the scoreboard in front of big crowds.

Friday, the Mustangs won 5-3 after a scoreless first period. Roman Cherniak scored two goals. Brooks Cogswell, Jack Bartfield and Jackson Walsh scored one each.

Saturday, after another scoreless first period, the Mustangs won 6-2 with a five-goal third period after trailing twice. Tom Jacques scored two goals, while Cogswell, Brody Simko, Cayden Effertz and Cole Wilmert scored once.

The Mustangs are 27-7-2, putting them in second place in the National Collegiate Development Conference’s (NCDC) Mountain Division, slightly behind the Idaho Falls Spud Kings with 16 games left in the regular season.

Last month, the Mustangs had eight players selected for the NCDC All-Star Game in Massachusetts. Those eight were forwards Troy Hunka, Brody Simko, Jiri Duda, Jackson Walsh and Roman Cherniak, defensemen Ryan Tong and Grant Hineman, and goaltender Dilans Birkans.