The Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League had two games in the week leading up to Christmas break.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the Terriers faced the Melfort Mustangs on home ice at the Farrell Agencies Arena. The Terriers came away with a win, with a final score of 3-2.
In the first period, the Mustangs were able to get the lead early – just two minutes in - with a goal on a power play. But two minutes later, Tyler Baier connected with the back of Melfort’s net to tie the game for the Terriers. The assist came from Kaleb Bell. The first period would end at 1-1.
Early in the second, Jared Legien got another one for Yorkton on a power play, with the assists coming from Shane Sherban and Jodan Ross. This gave the Terriers the lead, which they would then add to just thirty seconds later with another goal. The third was scored by McKenzie Welke, with the assist from Dexter Robinson. The Mustangs would retaliate with one more goal, pushing the score to 3-2 for the Terriers to end the second.
The third period saw no goals, securing the win for Yorkton.
After the game, Terriers’ head coach and GM Casey O’Brien said the chippy game was a good showing for his Terriers.
“I thought we played really solid five-on-five tonight. Penalties both ways kind of ruined the flow of the game, but we found a way,” he said.
“The chippiness comes from guys standing up for each other and being strong teammates,” O’Brien said after being asked about the game being slightly more aggressive than normal.
Nathan Hargrave recorded the win in net for the Terriers. O’Brien said he’s been more than happy with Hargrave’s play, and it solidifies why he made the trade several weeks ago. Hargrave is now listed as the fifth goaltender in the league.
“Our goal tending has been very good. Hargrave has been very good and [Matt] Vernon has been very good” said O’Brien. “You need two goalies to win any given night. Right now, they’re giving us the chance every night.”
On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Terriers played on home ice again when they faced the Battlefords North Stars, who are the top team in the SJHL.
The hard-fought game ended in a loss from the Terriers, with a final score of 1-0. The two teams had played the previous week, when the North Stars took the win 2-0.
The one goal from the North Stars came just 1:30 into the first period, but the Terriers were able to hold them off after that. Shots on goal at the end of the game were 37-20 for the North Stars, proving another solid performance from Nathan Hargrave in net.
After the game, Casey O’Brien said the scoreless finish came from a lack of action in front of the net from the Terriers.
“I think it was an awesome hockey team for people to watch,” he said, also adding he was happy with his team’s performance against the top team in the league.
This was the Terriers’ last game before their Christmas break. O’Brien said the rest is coming at the right time.
“It’s always good to get a break and then come back refreshed and charged, and try to go for a top six spot, to avoid that survivor series. It we avoid that series, we get another little break before [playoffs] start,” said O’Brien. “Our goal now is to try to get in the top six.”
The Christmas break ends for the Terriers on Friday, Dec. 30 when they face the highway ten rivals, the Melville Millionaires, at the Farrell Agencies Arena. The last game between the two teams saw a combined total of 288 penalty minutes, so it’s safe to say it will be an entertaining night for spectators. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m.
