Terriers Continue Home Stand Against Hawks
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
There aren’t many teams who are playing as well as the Yorkton Terriers in the SJHL right now. With five wins in their last six contests, the Terriers have launched themselves firmly into a playoff spot, thanks to the recent emergence of the offense and the power-play. The recently acquired Zach McIntyre has bolstered the forward corps, while Parker Jasper, Tyson Janzen and Tanner Sklaruk have added much needed scoring from the backend. Throw in the outstanding play by 18-year-old goaltender Kael DePape, and you’ve got a recipe for a team that can compete with anyone. Tonight is a must win for the Terriers if they want to solidify their spot over the rest of the SJHL. Nipawin has been struggling, and Yorkton will be favored in tonight’s contest. Another two points would ensure the Terriers stay in 6th place, while slowly making ground on the top echelon of the SJHL.
View From Nipawin:
It’s a weird sight seeing the Hawks without long time head coach Doug Johnson behind the bench. In a move that surprised the entire league, Nipawin fired their coach of 11-and-a-half years, as the team is struggling for playoff positioning. On the outside looking in, the Hawks have only won two of their previous ten games, including losing five straight before defeating Battlefords. Their victory over the North Stars should be a warning that the Hawks can upset anyone. However, their offense has been sporadic, the special teams are both in the bottom third of the league, and there’s a brand new voice behind the bench that the team is trying to adjust to. With the situation the Hawks are in, it’s beginning to look like Nipawin may miss the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Steve-O:
One player who is beginning to find his game at the right time for Yorkton is overage forward Steven Norum. By his standards, the start of the 2021/22 season was a slow one for the Sherwood Park product. However, Norum does have five points in his last five games, and more importantly, he’s finding other ways to contribute. Norum is also an ace in the faceoff circle, a leader on the bench, and he isn’t afraid to play rough and tumble. With Logan Cyca, Carson Henry and Colby Vranai, the Terriers have tremendous depth at center, and if Norum’s production continues to increase, Yorkton could have a plethora of players that will make life for the opposing team difficult.
Tale of the Tape
Yorkton Terriers (14-13-0-3 – 31 points) Nipawin Hawks (11-14-0-5 – 28 points)
2nd Viterra Division/ 6th SJHL 4th Sherwood Division/ 9th SJHL
Powerplay: 16/117 – 13.7% (9th SJHL) Powerplay: 17/126 – 13.5% (10th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 124/141 – 87.9% (3rd SJHL) Penalty Kill: 103/134 – 76.9% (10th SJHL)
Last Ten: 6-2-0-2 Streak: 2-0-0-0 Last Ten: 2-5-0-3 Streak: 1-0-0-0
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Gervais (11)
Assists: Cyca, Jasper & Janzen (12)
Points: Sleeva (19)
PIM: Norum (63)
Goalie: DePape 12-7-0-3, 2.06, 0.924%, 3 SO