YORKTON, SK – Tate Schofer scored with 4:45 left in overtime as the Yorkton Terriers defeated the Melville Millionaires 2-1, advancing to the second round of the SJHL Playoffs.
The first period was relatively uneventful, with both teams combining for just 10 shots.
The Terriers struck first when Vinay Junek corralled a bouncing puck at the Millionaires’ blue line, drove to the net, and backhanded his second goal of the playoffs past Ben Laurette.
Neither team had a power play in the opening frame, and the Terriers outshot the Millionaires 7-3.
The second period remained scoreless despite a strong push from the Millionaires in search of the equalizer. Callum Crieg stood tall, stopping all 15 shots he faced, including a highlight-reel save with his left pad on Jadon Iyogun.
The period also saw the game’s first penalty—a delay of game—assessed to Kale Johns for flipping the puck over the glass. However, the Millionaires failed to capitalize on the power play.
After forty minutes, the Millionaires held an 18-11 shot advantage.
In the third period, Preston Baerwald finally solved Creig, scoring on the Millionaires’ 30th shot of the game to tie it late. The goal came after a near-empty-net miss by Schofer that would have iced the game for Yorkton, but instead, the play resulted in an icing call.
For the second time in the series, the Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers needed overtime.
In sudden death, the Terriers earned their first power play of the game when Kale Johns drew a holding penalty. Yorkton generated a couple of chances but couldn’t beat Laurette.
Then, with under five minutes remaining, the Terriers finally broke through. Jaron Desnoyers batted down a Riley Cormier point shot, and Tate Schofer jammed the puck home, delivering in the clutch once again. His fourth goal of the series proved to be the series winner, sending the Millionaires packing in five games.
For the second straight start, Callum Crieg was phenomenal, stopping 37 of 38 shots.
The Terriers now await their next opponent, with round two expected to begin next Friday.
