The Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League are almost through their long away-game stretch.
The Terriers have not played on their home ice at the Farrell Agencies Arena since Oct. 21, when they beat Melfort 4-1. That was also the last time they won. They currently hold a 5-10-3 record.
Since then, they have played six games. While one was technically recorded as a home game, it was not played in Yorkton due to the Yorkton Exhibition Harvest Showdown last weekend.
Head coach and general manager Casey O’Brien said the team is working through some ups and downs.
“We knew that this stretch of being out of our home rink would be very tough. We would have liked to see a few more wins,” he said. “Right now we just have to keep working at getting better.”
The Terriers have been missing a few key players due to injury over the past few weeks, so O’Brien said that might have something to do with their game outcomes. Regan Seiferling and Corwin Stevely are both out for another few weeks, with hopes of returning in December.
“This gives other guys the opportunity to play in situations that they may not have seen earlier in the year,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien said that this stretch of away games always gives the coaching staff a good opportunity to get a read on where the team stands. With a December trade deadline approaching, they’re working on dwindling down their roster to a more permanent draft.
“Getting away from our rink can sometimes be a real eye opener for some guys. For others, it shows us who really belongs here.”
He said despite the losses, the series of away games has been a great team building time for the Terriers.
The team travels to Weyburn on Wednesday, Nov. 9 to play the Red Wings, and then they will finally be returning to the Farrell Agencies Arena on Saturday, Nov. 12 to play the Nipawin Hawks at 7:30 p.m and again on Sunday, Nov. 13 to play the Estevan Bruins at 6 p.m.
