Yorkton, SK: Vinay Junek scored the only goal in the shootout as the Yorkton Terriers defeated the Virden Oil Capitals 4-3 inside Westland Insurance Arena.
In the opening game of the Preseason, there were two early powerplay opportunities for each team, but both failed to convert. The visiting Virden Oil Capitals found the scoresheet as Brooks Siemens snapped a shot under the glove of Terriers goaltender Callum Creig, making it 1-0.
The Terriers responded nicely to the opening marker with three unanswered goals. First, it was Quinn Tavender finishing off a pretty three-way passing play as Trinity Anderson and Quinn Johnston picked up assists.
Tavender would strike again at the 13:31 mark of the first period after forward Vinay Junek showed some patience along the half wall and fed Tavender in the shot, making it a 2-1 game.
The Terriers would get another powerplay opportunity when the Oil Capitals were caught with too many men on the ice, and the home side made them pay.
Defenceman Thomas Ries let go a point shot that found its way past Oil Capitals goaltender Micky Gross, giving the Terriers a 3-1 lead. The Terriers outshot the visitors 12-8 in the first period.
In the middle frame, the Terriers got an early powerplay when Aydan Wang went off for hooking, but despite a couple of good looks, the Terriers couldn’t add to their lead.
Midway through the second period, both backup goaltenders entered the game, Brodie Cameron for Virden and Kieren Madill for Yorkton.
The visitors gave Madill a rude entrance into the game, as he allowed the second shot he faced, as Parker Rolston cut the lead to 3-2 with a spinning shot from the slot.
The Terriers nearly restored their two-goal lead when Vinay Junek dashed from the right side, but Cameron stopped him with the blocker. Both teams would trade powerplays near the end of the period, but the score stayed 3-2.
Virden outshot the Terriers 10-4 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Terrier opened with an entire two-minute powerplay when Jayce Thompson got called for elbowing at the end of the second period. The Terriers could not capitalize.
The final frame was penalty-filled with four powerplays for Virden and two for the Terriers. The Oil Capitals were finally able to capitalize with the man advantage as Campbell Epp deadlocked the game at 3-3.
The Terriers got a powerplay in the final two minutes and had plenty of good looks, but Cameron stood tall, meaning in the first preseason game, extra hockey was needed.
In overtime, it was nothing short of entertaining. End-to-end action with both teams getting Grade A scoring chances.
The best opportunity in OT came off Tavender’s stick, as he picked up the puck behind his own net and turned on the jets for a breakaway, but Cameron denied his bid for the hatrick.
The rest of overtime solved nothing as we headed to a shootout. Madill was a perfect 3/3 in the shootout, and Junek snuck one five-hole for the only goal in the sudden death.
The Terriers will now head to Virden on Saturday as they continue their five-game Preseason. Puck drop from Tundra Oil & Gas Place is set for 7:00 PM.
