The Yorkton Terriers just can't lose right now. After their winning streak extended to six games after wins over Melville and Estevan, the Terriers aimed to extend their winning streak to seven games when the Battlefords North Stars came to the FAA to wrap up the Terriers November schedule Thursday night.
Dawson MacAuley got the start in goal, giving Kale Thomson the night off after three straight strong showings in goal against the Millionaires and Bruins. The Terriers continued the good vibes early in the game as Nathan Murray scored 1:10 into the first period giving the big left wing his eighth goal of the season. Battlefords Joren Johnson tied it up midway through the first period giving himself his first goal of the season and sending the teams into the dressing room tied at a goal apiece.
The two teams struggled to mount much offense in what was a listless second period except for some after the whistle fireworks between Murray and Battlefords' Ben Greenaway to end the second period. Both players were giving roughing penalties and ten minute misconducts to start the third period session. In the third period defensemen Austin Bourhis' bad luck with penalties came to bite him once again as a checking from behind penalty led to a Battleford powerplay goal five minutes into the third period and gave the Stars a lead that threatened the Terriers win streak with just fifteen minutes to play.
An even deeper hole was dug as Tayler Thompson was given a game misconduct and five minute major for charging and dropping the gloves after being challenged by a Stars player near the Terriers bench after the penalty whistle. Missing one of their best offensive players for the rest of the game, the Terriers dug deep and began to press the Stars defensive zone putting the pressure on and creating good chances in the dying moments.
Eventually the hard work in front of the night from unlikely source John Neibrandt paid off as the 6 5" defenseman banged home his first game of the season after spending the majority of the games final moments being a pest in front of the Battlefords goal. Neibrandt continued his work in front of the net in overtime and the Terriers were helped out by a Josh Betinol hooking penalty just one minute into the overtime frame.
A four on three powerplay gave the Terriers a golden opportunity to escape the game with a win and no mistake was made as Derek Falloon fired in his sixth goal of the season from the slot to give the Terriers a 3-2 win and extend their winning streak to seven games.
A Notre Dame Hounds loss to Estevan Tuesday night kept the Terriers lead atop the Sherwood Division at four points despite the Terriers missing action Sunday as poor driving conditions postponed their Sunday night clash with the Broncos. The game has yet to be officially rescheduled, but the eventually meeting will feature two of the SJHL's top teams as the Broncos are sitting at second in the North/Bauer Division.
The Terriers will now look to play six of their next seven at home as Kindersley comes into town as former Terrier Warren Shymko looks to make his return to his hometown and lead the Klippers and end the Terriers win streak on Friday and Sunday. After that the Terriers will head to Estevan Tuesday before closing out for the holidays with home dates against Melfort, (December 14) Estevan, (December 15) and Notre Dame (December 18) in what is a busy next two weeks for the Terriers before they break for the Christmas holidays.
Nearly halfway through the SJHL season the Terriers are standing atop of their division and are one of the league's best teams, a busy pre Christmas stretch only gives them a chance to separate themselves from the pack.
