Rivalry Renewed In Melville
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
Losses in three straight and in six of the last seven have plagued the Yorkton Terriers. The T-Dogs dropped both games at the SJHL Showcase in Warman 1-0 to Flin Flon and 6-5 to Battlefords. Kishaun Gervais scored twice and the power-play went 3/7 against Battlefords, both positive signs for this Terrier team. Both will look to continue their momentum against the Millionaires, who sport the league’s worst penalty kill and average the most goals against per game. Now they face their Parkland region rivals with both teams desperate for a win. After a home and home with Melville, the Terriers will have five days off before a home and home series with the Humboldt Broncos.
View From Melville:
The Millionaires dropped their first three games of the 2021/22 season, coming into tonight’s contest. Melville scrapped out a point in their final showcase game, when they fell 3-2 to Melfort in overtime. Four Mils have scored their first career SJHL goals over their first three games, and they are looking for others to do the same. Meanwhile, four suspended Millionaires will return to the lineup tonight, after being on the shelf for three games for an off-ice incident. The returning players will be leaned on heavily to lead the team, which includes forwards Charles Thomas-Larochelle and Nicolas Samson, defender Aidan Robson and goaltender Alexis Giroux. The excitement in the Rail City is expected to be through the roof as tonight is also the home opener at the Horizon Credit Union Centre.
From The Blue Line:
Tyson Janzen has really found his stride offensively to start this season. Tied for the most points by a defenseman in the league with 6, Janzen has been relied on heavily as a quarterback on the power-play. The power-play has been off to a rough start to the season, however, in the last game against the Battlefords North Stars it went 3/7 thanks to the play of Janzen. If the unit wants to continue its turnaround, Janzen will have to continue to big a large part of its success. The Saskatoon product will also have to continue to shut down the top players on opposing teams, as he has formed a top defensive pairing with Parker Jasper. Both defenders are expected to gobble up at least 20 minutes a game on the Yorkton backend.
Tale of the Tape
Yorkton Terriers (1-6-0-0 – 2 points) Melville Millionaires (0-2-1-0 – 1 point)
3rd Viterra Division/ 11th SJHL 4th Viterra Division/ 12th SJHL
Powerplay: 5/36 – 13.9% (11th SJHL) Powerplay: 3/18 – 20.0% (6th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 32/40 – 80.0% (5th SJHL) Penalty Kill: 4/7 – 57.1% (12th SJHL)
Last Ten: 1-6-0-0 Streak: 0-3-0-0 Last Ten: 0-2-1-0 Streak: 0-2-1-0
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Kruska & Sleeva (3)
Assists: Sleeva & Janzen (5)
Points: Sleeva (8)
PIM: Norum (18)
Goalie: DePape 1-1-0-0, 1.01, 0.962%