A November turnaround gave the Harvest new life heading into their first action of December as they sat just two points out of eighth place with the Swift Current Legionnaires heading to the FAA for a battle between the ninth place Harvest and the eighth placed Legionnaires in what was a pivotal midseason clash between two teams trying to stay afloat in the playoff picture. If the Harvest were to lose, they were sure to fall behind the Legionnaires, Saskatoon Blazers, and Notre Dame Argos in the four team race for the last three SMAAHL playoff spots. If the Harvest gained the majority of the points in their two games with Swift Current they would be seeing playoff positioning for the first time all season after their horrendous September and October slump placed them deep in the cellar.
The sense of urgency was felt throughout the FAA as the Harvest were given the spotlight at the rink all weekend with the Terriers out of town and both teams were giving nothing easy in what were two very hard hitting and intense meetings on Saturday and Sunday. Yorkton landed the first blow of the weekend as they opened the evening with a Jaden Kreklewich goal that was assisted by Logan Herchak and Lynndon Pastachak to give the Harvest an early 1-0 lead.
Swift Current stole the momentum back with a goal with just four seconds left in the first period from Evan Patrick that tied up the score with the Harvest just moments away from being saved from the buzzer.
A goal less second period added to the intensity as both teams held ground despite eight penalties being given out between the two teams in the second frame giving opportunities for the powerplay units that were not taken.
Swift Current took the lead early in the third as Dawson Tangen put the Legionnaires up one, making things tense for the hometown Harvest who needed at least one goal to prevent the Legionnaires from separating themselves from the Harvest for that final playoff spot. Logan Herchak made himself an unlikely hero on the night, scoring a shorthanded goal levelling the game and giving the Harvest an important draw in what was a thrilling Saturday night contest.
Sunday saw a pivotal rematch with the Legionnaires still one point above the Harvest after the draw on Saturday, making the game a must win if the Harvest were to jump up to the eighth seed.
The Harvest wasted no time starting the game off with three straight unanswered goals in the first period to take a very early commanding lead. Lynndon Pastachak, Dakota Odgers and Donavon Lumb combined for the Harvest's first period onslaught while Nicholas Pouliot and Ethan Bear teamed up for two assists in the opening session.
Swift Current made a rally by the way of two unanswered goals to open the second period, but a Pouliot goal assisted by Ethan Bear proved to be the game winning goal from a line that gave the Legionnaires all sorts of problems on Sunday.
Two more powerplay play goals and a fourth unanswered goal resulted in an impressive 7-3 victory and vaulted the Harvest into eighth place in impressive fashion.
The Harvest will now look to another meeting with the seventh place Argos in Wilcox to further climb up the SMAAAHL standings before they head to Moose Jaw for a weekend back to back with the Generals in a busy week. Wrapping up the month of December will be home dates against the Prince Albert Mintos December 15/16 followed by a final road date with the Notre Dame Argos before the SMAAAHL goes on Christmas break.
A lot of work still needs to be done if the Harvest are going to cement their status as a playoff team this season, but after crawling from so far back to get where they are, there is reason to celebrate at the FAA as the Harvest are cellar dwellers no more.
