MELFORT, SK – The Melfort Mustangs scored two powerplay goals and defeated the Yorkton Terriers 3-0 in a penalty-filled affair, taking a 2-0 series lead.
In the first period, the Mustangs struck first when Zac Somers beat Ethan Farrow glove-side, finding the post and in for his fifth goal of the playoffs.
Shortly after the goal, the Terriers earned their first power play when forward Vinay Junek was hit hard from behind, leading to a two-minute head contact penalty assessed to Reilly Kotai.
The Terriers’ penalty kill was tested soon after when Riley Cormier received a five-minute major for a solo fight. The situation escalated after Melfort’s Will Munro cross-checked Cormier three times, then immediately turtled, avoiding any penalty himself.
During that major penalty kill, Tyler Palin stepped up at the blue line, delivered a thunderous hit on Somers and went off to kill the remainder of the penalty, keeping it 1-0.
Both teams traded early power play opportunities in the second period before chaos erupted.
As Jye Zawatsky entered the offensive zone, he was hit high by Kaleb Binner. In response, Tate Schofer came to Zawatsky’s defence, leading to Schofer receiving a major penalty for cross-checking. Binner, however, received no penalty for the initial hit.
While the officials huddled to discuss the call, a disturbing incident occurred behind the Terriers’ bench: a Melfort fan threw an object that struck Yorkton head coach Emery Olauson in the back of the head. The fan was removed from the section, and
The Terriers managed to kill most of the five-minute major, but Logan Belton eventually tipped a point shot past Farrow, giving Melfort a 2-0 lead. Yorkton nearly responded moments later when David Coyle dashed down the left wing and cut hard to the net, but Kristian Coombs denied him.
In the third period, the Terriers earned another power play midway through when captain Jaron Desnoyers drew a rare holding penalty. Yorkton created several good chances but couldn’t buy a goal, as Coombs continued to stand tall.
Then, with just 30 seconds left, Tyler Palin was high-sticked, leaving a trail of blood across the ice—yet no call was made. Olauson, looking to protest the missed call, was instead given a bench minor and ejected from the game. As he crossed the ice, he followed the trail of blood toward the players’ exit.
Despite having to kill off two separate five-minute major penalties, the Terriers outshot the Mustangs.
The series now shifts to Yorkton for Games 3 and 4, where the Terriers remain a perfect 3-0 this postseason at Westland Arena.
