A successful hockey season came to an end on the weekend for the Xerox Atom AA Terriers as the local team finished off 2013/14 as league champions after a successful playoff run.
The Terriers competed in the South East Minor Hockey League finishing their regular season with a record of 13 wins, 6 losses ,1 tie which gave them second place to start their 2014 playoff run. The Terriers received a first round bye, then played the Estevan Bruins in the best of three semi final series.
In round one, the Terriers swept the series with wins of 6-3 and 4-1 scores. With the win at hand they advanced to the league final to play the first place Swift Current Broncos in a best of three series to decide the SEMHL title.
Both teams were evenly matched and had developed a good rivalry during the season which would set the stage for an entertaining series of hockey for the young Atom Terriers.
Game One was played in Swift Current where it would be the Broncos coming out strong to start the championship series. With Swift Current coming out with a bang the Terriers fell behind and trailed 3-0 after two periods.
In the third period, the Terriers started their comeback, slowly chipping away at the Broncos lead with big goals and managed to tie the game 3-3 with three minutes remaining. This took the game to overtime, and just 19 seconds in, the Terriers scored to complete their comeback road victory to set up a deciding Game Two in Yorkton.
Swift Current returned to Yorkton the following day for Game Two. The game was a fast skating, defensive and goaltending battle with both teams not wanting to give up an inch to their opponents after a thrilling first game in Swift Current.
Scoreless after two periods, the Terriers scored with twelve minutes to go in period three. The Terriers battled the rest of the way, and goalie Kael Depape earned the shutout in a 1-0 final to give the AA Terriers the league championship.
The championship would be a successful ending for a team that had only three returning players from last years squad. A major effort by the whole team made for the championship season.
The AA Terriers would like to thank Xerox for being their sponsor and also their families and fans that supported them throughout the season.
