Terriers Battle Hawks At The Westland Insurance Arena
Photo Credit: Luke Walters Story Coming In:
It can’t be stated enough, this weekend is huge for the Yorkton Terriers. Taking on teams that the Terriers are battling for playoff positioning, Yorkton got off on the right foot with a 6-2 thumping of the La Ronge Ice Wolves. Clay Sleeva had a pair of goals, while Erik Boers and Tanner Sklaruk each had three point nights, leading the offence which exploded for a season high six goals. Special teams played a factor in the win, where the Terriers went 2 for 5 on the power-play and they added a shorthanded marker. Now the Terriers are tied for 7th place in the SJHL with the Kindersley Klippers and tonight’s opponent the Nipawin Hawks. With Kindersley not in action tonight, a win will put Yorkton in sole possession of 7th, and give the Terriers much needed momentum heading towards the Christmas break.
View From Nipawin:
The Hawks have been up and down as of late, having gone 4-4-0-2 in their last 10 games. Nipawin is coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Melville Millionaires last night, with Alex Johnson playing the hero in extra time. The Hawks do have a game on hand over the Terriers, which makes tonight’s contest all the more important. Special teams has been an issue for the Hawks. Nipawin sits in 10th place both on the power-play and on the penalty kill. They have also struggled to score, only posting 64 goals this season. If Yorkton plays the same game they did last night, then victory will be within the grasp of the Terriers.
The Giant From St Paul:
While he has seen limited starts in goal, Bradley Mistol has been solid for the Yorkton Terriers. With a record of 2-1-0-0, Mistol has also posted a 2.00 GAA and a .909 save percentage. The 6-foot-5 St. Paul, Alberta native doesn’t give shooters a lot to look at, while looking calm and collected in goal. While Kael DePape will get the majority of the starts for Yorkton, Mistol gives Mat Hehr a solid option to turn to when DePape needs a rest. In all, the combination of DePape and Mistol gives the Terriers a strong 1-2 punch in net.
Tale of the Tape
Yorkton Terriers (10-12-0-3 – 23 points) Nipawin Hawks (10-11-0-3 – 23 points)
2nd Viterra Division/ T-7th SJHL 3rd Sherwood Division/ T-7th SJHL
Powerplay: 11/100 – 11.0% (11th SJHL) Powerplay: 15/108 – 13.9% (10th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 102/118 – 88.1% (T-2nd SJHL) Penalty Kill: 83/108 – 75.7% (10th SJHL)
Last Ten: 4-3-0-3 Streak: 1-0-0-0 Last Ten: 4-4-0-2 Streak: 1-0-0-0
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Gervais (9)
Assists: Janzen (11)
Points: Janzen (16)
PIM: Norum (42)
Goalie: DePape 8-6-0-3, 2.08, 0.921%, 1 SO