Roan Burgess scored the shootout winner in round three as the Weyburn Red Wings defeated the Yorkton Terriers 5-4 to kick off the SJHL Season.’
The Terriers got off to a quick start in the first period, as newcomer Gabriel Courchense snapped a shot past Ty Matonovich to open the scoring and give the Terriers a 1-0 lead. William Léonard picked up the lone assist on the play.
Weyburn had a chance to respond shortly after, earning the game’s first power play when Thierry Laliberté was called for roughing. However, Terriers goaltender Callum Creig came up big with a series of solid saves to preserve the lead.
Yorkton would capitalize on a power play of their own later in the period. Jye Zawatsky found a lane to the net and slipped a slick backhander past Matonovich to make it 2-0.
The Terriers outshot the Red Wings 16-15 in a fast-paced opening frame.
In the second period, the home side got on the board as Luke Schraeder jammed home a loose puck in the crease to cut the Terriers’ lead to 2-1.
The teams then traded goals. Aidan Vallance tipped in a point shot from Thierry Liliberté for his first career SJHL goal, restoring Yorkton’s two-goal cushion. However, the Red Wings responded just four minutes later when Lucas Schmid beat Creig to once again make it a one-goal game.
Weyburn controlled much of the play in the middle frame, outshooting the Terriers 22-9.
Early in the third, the Red Wings drew even as Callace Pierce wired a shot past Creig for his first of the season, tying the game at 3-3.
The Terriers regained the lead midway through the period. After sustained pressure in the offensive zone, Gabriel Courchesne found a loose puck at the side of the net and buried his second of the night to make it 4-3 Yorkton.
In the final moments of regulation, the Red Wings pulled even once again as Callace Pierce scored his second of the night, tying the game at 4-4 with just 1:25 remaining to force overtime.
In the extra frame, Thierry Liliberté was awarded a penalty shot, but was turned aside by Matonovich.
Both teams had quality chances in the 3-on-3 period, but neither could find the game-winner, sending it to a shootout.
Weyburn struck first in the shootout, with Luke Dekay beating Creig on the blocker side. Both Jye Zawatsky and Vinay Junek were denied, leaving Gabriel Courchesne needing to score to extend the shootout—and he delivered.
However, the Red Wings would get the final say, as Roan Burgess beat Creig to seal the win for Weyburn.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow night in Yorkton for the Terriers’ Home Opener. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
