Whether you’re a Yorkton Terriers fan or a Melville Millionaires fan (let’s face it – no one cheers for both), you can watch the game live in Yorkton for free this weekend with the Terriers’ “Fill the Farrell” promotion, allowing free admission to fans from both sides of the rivalry.
Yorkton and Melville are separated by a half-hour drive along Highway 10. But there’s something about that drive that feels a little different when you’re on your way to either town to watch a Yorkton Terriers versus Melville Millionaires hockey game.
The league was originally called the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League, but dropped ‘amateur’ to become the SJHL in 1973. The Millionaires officially joined in 1970, and the Terriers in 1972.
Every article, story, fan, player and staff member says that the rivalry has been going strong ever since.
Despite what side of the rivalry you stand on, it’s clear that those games are the ones that everyone looks forward to most in every season.
Jordan Ross is a veteran player on the Terriers. He’s played 131 games with the team spanning over four seasons. Although he didn’t grow up in Yorkton or Melville, similar to most kids on the teams, he said he still feels the rivalry just as much. Ross said he’s been hearing about the rivalry between the two towns since he played hockey at the novice age.
“It’s just a hate-hate relationship,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s fun to be a part of stuff like that.”
Terriers’ president David Baron used the word “electric” to describe the feeling before a Terriers/Millionaires game.
“There’s kind of an electricity in the air. There’s something special about the day before – you’re thinking about it, you’re looking forward to it. I think that’s what the Yorkton/Melville rivalry is – it’s something special,” said Baron. “It’s a respectful rivalry, but there’s nobody we like to beat more.”
Millionaires’ president Dawn Melnychuk agreed.
But, she also said she’d like to see the rivalry get back to where it was years ago.
“I miss the days when you had to come to the rink an hour and a half ahead of time to make sure you had a seat,” said Melnychuk.
She said she’d like people to see the games as an option for a family outing, in hopes of seeing more from the 20-40 year old age group.
The reason why the arenas aren’t full anymore isn’t quite clear to anyone. Some suggested it’s because of the rule changes in hockey, which eliminated fighting from the game. Others suggest it’s the ability to turn on a television or the Internet and tune into whatever you want to watch in the comfort of your own home.
This year’s regular season of the SJHL is almost over, but not before the two-game series between the Terriers and the Millionaires this weekend. The series starts in Yorkton on Friday night at the FAA at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday it moves to the Horizon Credit Union Centre in Melville, also at 7:30 p.m.
For the last weekend of the regular season, the Terriers are taking action to try to fill the Farrell Agencies Arena like it used to be years ago. Baron said it’s to give fans the feeling of a playoff game, and to remind everyone how much fun a live sporting event can be.
Haas Nissan, as the game sponsor for Friday night’s game against Melville, will be helping them do this.
Tickets to Friday night’s game are free for the Terriers’ “Fill the Farrell” promotion. Fans just have to be there early enough to get them while they last.
The 50/50 jackpot is guaranteed to be at least $3,000. Fans who take advantage of the free admission are encouraged to take part in the 50/50, to help reach that jackpot and to support the Terriers.
