Physical play, after the whistle penalties, home ice wins, and controversial goals have already given the Yorkton Terriers first series of the 2014 SJHL Playoffs an instant postseason feel as the defending champions are currently in a tough battle against the underdog Notre Dame Hounds.
Through three games of the series the Terriers are currently up 2-1 in the Best of Seven series between the first place Terriers and the lowest seed in the playoffs in Notre Dame with both teams cashing in on home ice wins. Yorkton with convincing wins in Game One and Game Three at the Farrell Agencies Arena while the Hounds were able to claw out a 2-1 win on the big ice surface at the Duncan McNeill Arena to make things interesting in the David Vs. Goliath script that has been set between the two teams.
With the Hounds setting a physical strategy from the jump in an attempt to unnerve the massive favourites in the Terriers in a classic playoff hockey tactic the series got off to an entertaining start in Game One on Saturday night as the Terriers would play their first home game in nearly three weeks after spending the end of the regular season on the road following a first round bye as regular season champions.
With an attendance of nearly 1000 people on hand to watch the first game of the Terriers 2014 playoff run the players did not disappoint as they would come out flying to remind the Hounds that they are not only the best team in the league and defending champions, but they are also one of the best teams in the league on home ice. Goals from Derek Falloon, Riley Hunt and Kailum Gervais all in the first period would drive that point home as the Terriers would go into the first intermission up comfortably with a 3-0 lead.
In the second period the Terriers would extend that lead with another goal as Daylan Gatzke would continue the trend of veterans getting on the scoresheet with his first of the playoffs as four different goalscorers would do damage in the game's opening 30 minutes. Jordan Ross would make it five different goalscorers in the third period as the Terriers would grab a 5-1 lead as Sam Aulie would score a consolation goal for Notre Dame who were beat from start to finish in the opening game of the series.
The tables would turn in Game Two as on the international ice surface at Notre Dame's home rink it would be a well executed defensive gameplan from the Hounds that would become the story of the first road game of the series for Yorkton.
Early on it appeared that the Terriers would be in the drivers seat yet again as Dylan Johnson's opening goal would give the Terriers a 1-0 lead, but after a shorthanded goal in the last minute of the first period from Andrew Cummings to tie the game up the Hounds dug deep and kept the Terriers off the scoreboard.
In fact the Terriers would be held scoreless for the rest of the game despite having nine powerplays on the international ice surface, mustering just 29 shots. With the score tied late in the third period, Dion Antisin would become the hero for the Hounds by scoring a game winning goal to tie the series for Notre Dame.
Terriers head coach Trent Cassan gave the Hounds credit, mentioning that they executed a strong defensive gameplan in blocking shots and using the extra ice to cut off the Terriers' angles. "Sometimes you think that with all the big ice there would be more scoring chances, but generally if a team has a good defensive gameplan and wants to block shots you can really cut off the angles which was what happened to us on Sunday," says Cassan.
Game Three back at the FAA would be a higher scoring affair back on the North American ice surface as Dylan Johnson once again gave the game's first goal as the power forward banged home his second of the playoffs just 24 seconds into the game to give Yorkton a one goal lead. Still the early Johnson goal would be the Terriers only goal in the first despite five powerplay chances as the Terriers compiled an 0-14 streak over four periods of play dating back to Game Two.
In the second period the Hounds would tie the goal on a controversial scramble in front where Kale Thomson was pushed back into the goal. Chase Norrish would answer back with two goals shortly after, including one on the powerplay to break the ice and restore a two goal lead.
The lead was shortlived however as another scramble in front of the crease would give the Hounds their second goal on just seven shots to send the game into the third with a 3-2 scoreline. Playing just a little bit dirty and very physical it appeared that the Hounds may just be able to get the Terriers to lose their cool in a one goal game.
That did not happen as the Terriers would keep their composure and find an insurance goal off of a Hounds turnover as Derek Falloon would intercept the puck and bang home a breakaway slapshot to give the Terriers a 4-2 lead. Norrish would cap off his special night with a hat trick goal on the powerplay in the last minute of the game for a 5-2 final.
Postgame Norrish was happy with his special night from the blueline that was the biggest factor in the Terriers ability to shake off the Hounds, but says his focus is going to switch quickly to Game Four in Notre Dame on Thursday.
"I will enjoy the hat trick tonight because you don't get too many but the focus for me is on getting wins," says Norrish.
Yorkton will look to wrap up the series this weekend as they host Game Five on Friday. Notre Dame will host Game Six on Sunday if the series is yet to be decided.
