Jaxon Ruthven scored two of the four second-period goals for the Weyburn Red Wings as they skated to a 6-2 victory over the Yorkton Terriers on home ice.
The opening twenty minutes between these two Viterra Division rivals were fast-paced, with both teams generating opportunities on the power play.
The visitors struck first as Cyprus Smith-Davis found space in the slot and hammered the puck home just 1:24 into the game. Jerome Maharaj and Simon Martin picked up the assists.
The Terriers responded shortly after with an incredible solo effort from captain Jaron Desnoyers. Driving hard to the net, Desnoyers slid home his 18th goal of the season past Angelo Zol, tying the game at 1-1. Jeff Hammond and David Coyle, reunited with Desnoyers on the top line, earned assists on the play.
Later in the period, the Terriers had a couple of chances to take their first lead, but Zol made key saves on Hammond and Ries in tight, keeping the score level.
The Wings regained the lead in the final minute of the frame, as Josh Karman squeaked one past Crieg to make it 2-1. The Terriers outshot the Red Wings 11-7 in the period.
In the middle frame, the Red Wings extended their lead with two quick goals just 39 seconds apart. Braigh LeGrandeur capitalized on the power play, followed shortly by a tally from Drew Molde. That second goal spelled the end of Callum Crieg’sCrieg’s night, as he was pulled after allowing four goals on 13 shots.
The Terriers gave the home crowd some life when Tyler Palin found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to 4-2 with his 9th goal of the season. Coyle and Hammond picked up the assists on the play.
However, the Red Wings quickly regained control, as Jaxson Ruthven scored back-to-back goals for the visitors, giving them their largest lead of the night at 6-2.
The third period saw tempers boil over, with a staggering 94 combined penalty minutes handed out. Two spirited scraps late in the frame fired up the crowd, with Thomas Ries and Evan Auld both dropping the gloves for the Terriers.
The Terriers managed the lone goal of the period, as Harrison Aldridge found the back of the net for his second of the season.
Looking ahead, the Terriers will shift their focus to a pair of games next week. They’ll host the Notre Dame Hounds on Friday evening before travelling to Estevan to take on the Bruins on Sunday night.