ESTEVAN, SK – For the second time in as many nights, the Yorkton Terriers found themselves battling back from an early deficit against the Estevan Bruins. However, unlike last night’s comeback victory, the Dogs couldn’t complete the rally, falling 5-3 on Saturday night at Affinity Place.
The loss snapped Yorkton’s three-game winning streak after the Terriers erased an early 3-0 deficit to draw even, only to surrender the final two goals of the contest.
For the second straight night, the Terriers found themselves behind the eight ball early, this time spotting the home side a 3-0 lead in the opening six minutes.
Estevan opened the scoring just 26 seconds into the contest on a controversial goal from Steven Steranka. The puck appeared to strike the post, but following a discussion with the goal judge, the officials ruled it a goal, giving the Bruins an early 1-0 advantage.
Less than two minutes later, Ty Hynes beat Terriers netminder Brady Low to double Estevan’s lead, with the Bruins scoring twice on their first three shots.
The home side wasn’t done there, as Steranka struck again just three minutes later, beating Low glove side for his second of the night to make it 3-0.
That spelled the end of Low’s evening, as Callum Creig was called upon in relief for the third time this season.
However, the Terriers refused to go away, battling back with a pair of goals to cut the deficit to one.
Newcomer Malik Belleus got Yorkton on the board with his first goal as a Terrier before Élie Robert followed with his second of the season, pulling the visitors within one at 3-2.
Yorkton successfully killed off both Estevan power plays in the opening frame but was unable to capitalize on its lone opportunity with the man advantage.
The middle frame saw the two teams exchange goals just 12 seconds apart.
Peter Godley pulled the Terriers even at 3-3 after jamming home a loose puck on the doorstep for his fifth goal of the season, erasing the three goal deficit.
However, the tie was short-lived.
Just 12 seconds later, Nathaniel Harvey beat Creig under the glove to restore Estevan’s lead at 4-3.
Despite falling behind early, the Terriers carried a slim 24-23 advantage in shots through 40 minutes of play in the Energy City.
The Terriers entered the final frame looking to erase a one-goal deficit for the second straight night, but penalty trouble would prove costly.
Just over six minutes into the period, Yorkton defenceman Malik Belleus was assessed a delay-of-game penalty, sending the Bruins to the power play.
Estevan made the visitors pay.
At the 7:54 mark, Griffin Horne capitalized on the man advantage, scoring his fourth goal of the season off a setup from Jaren Ashbee to extend the Bruins’ lead to 5-3.
Things got heated late in the third period as Yorkton’s Austin Horbachewsky and Estevan’s Nathaniel Harvey dropped the gloves late in the third after a big hit. Both players received fighting majors and game misconducts, while Harvey was also assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The Terriers received another late power-play opportunity when Steranka was called for handling the puck with just 23 seconds remaining, but the Dogs were unable to close the gap.
Estevan held on for the 5-3 victory, earning a split of the home-and-home series after Yorkton’s 6-3 win on Friday night.
