BATTLEFORD, SK: The (11-7) Yorkton Terriers delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, dismantling the 9-5-2) Battlefords North Stars 7-2, fueled by a five-goal eruption in the third period.
Yorkton struck first at 6:21 of the opening frame on the power play. Dustin Renas buried his 11th goal of the season with assists from Bryce Dahl and Keenan Ingram. Despite Yorkton’s edge in shots on goal (15-13), both teams struggled to find a sustained rhythm. Penalty trouble set an early tone, with each side trying to capitalize on their opportunities.
Keenan Ingram extended Yorkton’s lead early in the second, scoring unassisted at 6:38. However, the North Stars answered back when Brett Boucher notched a power-play goal at 8:29, assisted by Jordan Grill and Anthony Campbell. Both teams traded penalties late as tempers began to flare.
The final frame belonged entirely to Yorkton. Jye Zawatsky opened the scoring just 57 seconds in, with David Coyle and Dustin Renas providing the assists. From there, the floodgates opened: Jaron Desnoyers, Aiden Knutson, David Coyle, and Renas (his second of the game) all found the back of the net.
Battlefords managed a lone response, a power-play goal from Braden Nienaber, but it was too little, too late.
Yorkton outshot Battlefords 19-11 in the third period, and Terriers capitalized on three of their seven power-play chances, while Battlefords converted just two of six.
Ethan Farrow was a rock for Yorkton, stopping 35 of 37 shots to earn his 8th win of the season. On the other side, Justen Maric faced a relentless barrage from the Terriers, making 36 saves on 43 shots.
With the victory, the Yorkton Terriers continue to cement their reputation as an offensive powerhouse, while the Battlefords North Stars aim to regroup after a tough loss. The two sides will meet tomorrow night at 7:30 PM.
