YORKTON, SK – Jye Zawatsky broke a 1-1 tie just 2:35 into the third period, netting the game-winner as the Yorkton Terriers defeated the La Ronge Ice Wolves 3-1 on home ice.
The Terriers found themselves shorthanded early in the first period when William Léonard was sent off for charging, giving the visitors an opportunity to capitalize.
Callum Creig made three key saves on the penalty kill to keep the game scoreless, but moments later, Ice Wolves defenseman Brendan Quinn-Lagria broke through with a point shot that beat Creig to open the scoring.
Yorkton responded with several chances to tie the game on two power plays, as Carter Briltz and Vinay Junek tested Ice Wolves goaltender Graham Brown. However, Brown stood tall, preserving La Ronge’s lead.
The Terriers outshot the Ice Wolves 18-12 in the opening period.
Yorkton pulled even in the second period when hometown forward Vinay Junek powered his way to the net off a faceoff win and slid the puck under Brown, tying the game at 1-1. It was Junek’s 12th goal of the season.
The Terriers controlled much of the middle frame, outshooting the Ice Wolves 17-8. However, one of Callum Creig’s eight saves was a crucial one, as he denied Taite Donkin on a breakaway with a sharp left-pad stop.
Neither team converted on the power play, with Yorkton going 0-for-2 and La Ronge failing to capitalize on their lone opportunity.
In the final frame, the Terriers took their first lead of the night when Zawatsky spun away from a defender, drove hard to the net, and roofed the puck under the bar for his 10th goal of the season. Quinn Johnston and Briltz picked up assists on the play.
Less than a minute later, the line of Coyle, Desnoyers, and Léonard struck again. Léonard found Coyle in the slot, and he buried his 26th goal of the season—extending his goal streak to four consecutive games.
That was all the support Creig needed, as he stopped 27 of 28 shots to earn his 15th victory of the season.
Yorkton’s 31st win of the year not only secured their return to the playoffs but also vaulted them past the idle Weyburn Red Wings into first place in the Viterra Division.
The Terriers will be back in action Friday night at home when they host the Flin Flon Bombers at Westland Arena.
