The Yorkton Terriers exploded out of the starting blocks as they scored 14 goals in two series opening games against the Kindersley Klippers at the Farrell Agencies Arena last weekend. The Terriers held the Klippers to a two goals in the first game and shut them out in the second game to take a two game lead in the best of seven games SJHL Sherwood Conference final series.
Riley Paterson opened the scoring in the first game with the first of two goals early in the first period assisted by Kyle McLeod.
Robbie Ciolfi made it 2-0 for Yorkton late in the period assisted by Justin Buzzeo and Clarke Breitkreuz.
Spencer Braaten notched Kindersley's first goal, a power play marker, midway through the second period to pull the Klippers within one.
Brant Remenda re-established Yorkton's two goal margin late in the period assisted by Devon McMullen and Buzzeo.
Breitkreuz converted a pass from Ciolfi for the Terriers' fourth goal of the game to give Yorkton a three goal edge after 40 minutes.
A three goal third period pretty much put the game away for the Terriers.
Jesse Mysiorek opened third period scoring with a shorthanded marker early in the third period which proved to be Kindersley's last goal in the first two games of the series.
Less than a minute later Paterson scored his second of the game assisted by Remenda and Keon Vick.
Zak Majkowski notched Yorkton's sixth goal late in the frame assisted by Kurtis Decker.
Craig Eisenhut capped the scoring with Yorkton's seventh goal with under a minute left in regulation time, assisted by Jeremy Boyer.
Local hockey pundits fully expected Kindersley to come with guns blazing in the second game Saturday night to make a game of it. It didn't happen. Instead, a fired up Terrier team backed by net minder Devin Peters emerged with a 7-0 shutout win to take a two game lead in the best of seven series.
Three Terriers, Brenden Poncelet, Boyer and Eisenhut had two goal games to lead the team to the 7-0 win.
Poncelet opened the scoring in the four goal first period with his first of two goals just under two minutes into the period assisted by Nathan Murray and Paterson.
Ciolfi added Yorkton's second, a power play goal, assisted by Breitkreuz and Buzzeo.
Boyer slipped in Yorkton's third goal, the first of two, assisted by Eisenhut and Majkowski. He followed up with the Terrier's fourth marker, a powerplay goal, late in the period assisted by Buzzeo and Blaine Tendler.
Eisenhut scored the lone second period goal, a power play marker, to make it 5-0 for Yorkton assisted by Murray and Ciolfi.
Poncelet opened third period scoring with his second of the game assisted by Murray.
Eisenhut capped game scoring late in the final frame with his second goal of the night to clinch the 7-0 shutout for the Terriers, assisted by Boyer and Breitkreuz.
The final series moved to Kindersley for games three and four Tuesday and Wednesday.
Yorkton Terrier head coach Trent Cassan points out whatever the final score it's still only two wins. The process is far from over. The Terriers still have to win two more games before claiming any sort of series victory, he notes.
He admits he's pleased with the team's performance so far.
Going into the third period of Saturday's game, Cassan encouraged his players to keep Kindersley from scoring to keep them from taking home any positives from the series so far.
Cassan says it was a team shutout Saturday. While he credits Peters with a solid game in goal, he also credits the defense with a strong game. Terrier forwards played both ends of the ice as well to contribute to the shutout.
The Terriers have played a well-rounded game including opening up some space by being physical when it was needed, Cassan reports. "Last night Riley Paterson scored two goals and had nine hits in the game. It's going to open up space for him and I think other guys see what space opens up when you do lay the body," he says.
Cassan praises the performance of Murray. Paterson and Poncelet in the first two games. "They're all similar players as far as size. Possessing the puck down low and they're not afraid to shoot the puck. They're important to any kind of success we have," Cassan states.
Team speed has been a Terriers strength all along, Cassan says. It has to work both ways, both in the offensive zone and back the other way. "Our guys have understood that so far," he declares.
The Klippers play very well at home. The Terriers have to continue to play a simple game and use their speed to eke out a win in Kindersley any way they can, Cassan states.
He likes his current set up but is always open to making any needed adjustments. "There are guys who aren't playing who are healthy and have worked hard and contribute too. If they get their chance they'll go in and play the role we ask then to," Cassan closes.
