YORKTON, SK: Thierry Laliberté’s second-period marker stood up as the game-winner, as the Yorkton Terriers defeated the Nipawin Hawks 3-1 inside Westland Insurance Arena.
The Yorkton Terriers offence came out flying in the opening twenty minutes with three grade-a scoring chances in the first seven minutes of the contest.
First, it was Dustin Renas at the side of the net on the powerplay, but he was stoned with the glove by Hawks goaltender Gage Roberts. Moments later, the puck would squirt loose in the slot to Jeff Hammond, but he, too, was stoned by Roberts as he flashed the leather, keeping it scoreless.
Then, on a four-minute powerplay for the Terriers, they would continue ramping up the pressure. Jye Zawatsky and Keenan Ingram had good scoring opportunities, but the game stayed deadlocked at zeros.
The Terriers were finally able to solve Roberts on their 11th shot of the period as Renas came off the bench, and the puck popped to him in the slot, and he roofed it past Roberts for his third of the campaign.
The Hawks nearly tied the game in the dying seconds when Terriers Goaltender Callum Creig fell behind the net, but he recovered to make the stop, preserving the Terrier’s 1-0 lead.
The Terriers outshot the Hawks 12-5 in the first period.
In the middle frame, the Terriers would add to their lead after Defenceman Thierry Laliberté threw a shot from the side, and it fooled Roberts, beating him glove side and doubling the Terriers lead.
The home side nearly made it 3-0 after David Coyle had a chance on the doorstep, but Roberts robbed him with the glove.
Both sides traded penalties, meaning 4 on 4 hockey, and the visitors took advantage of the extra space.
Eric Hoiness wrapped the puck around the net, Creig stopped the first chance but he stuck with it and jammed it into the net cutting the lead in half.
The Terrier’s 4th line created some momentum for the home side with relentless shifts in the offensive zone but could not convert.
The Terriers carried a 2-1 lead into the third period and outshot the Hawks 15-10 in the second period.
In the third period, the Terriers didn’t give the Hawks much as both teams traded powerplays, which stayed 2-1.
The Terriers would add an empty net as Jye Zawatsky raced down the ice, giving them a 3-1 lead.
Callum Creig was solid in the pipes, stopping 25 of 26 for his second win of the season.
With the win, the Terriers improve to 6-1 on the season and will be in action on the road tomorrow night in Weyburn.
