Terriers Face-off With Kindersley
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
With playoffs out of the picture, pride is on the line when Yorkton heads to Kindersley. Having lost six in a row, things have looked bleak in 2023. Last night, it was the Kian Bell show in North Battleford, where the Nova Scotian scored five times en route to an 8-2 drubbing. Take that away and the Terriers played a solid game against the league’s top team. They went toe to toe with the North Stars through the opening 20 minutes and were unfortunate to be down heading into the second period. The top line of Sleeva-Ruptash-Kennedy continued to impress, scoring twice, while also being responsible in their own zone. With the line consisting of two 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old, they could carry that momentum into next season, and dare we say, possibly be one of the league’s best units. The Terriers have been evenly matched against Kindersley this season, with the designated home team winning all four games. While neither side will make it to the postseason, both teams still have lots to play for in terms of building blocks for next season.
View From Kindersley:
Quietly the Klippers have had a solid month of February. Yes, their record is 3-5, but they sport victories over Melfort, Nipawin and La Ronge. Their last outing on Family Day, Kindersley found themselves down 4-0, almost rallying before falling 4-3 to the Humboldt Broncos. Goaltending has been the strength for Kindersley, who have faith in both Logan Falk and SJHL/MJHL Showcase standout Cody Jaman. Logan Linklater also gives their offence a consistent threat, as he is producing over a point a game, while you can’t fall asleep on the Paplawski twins or the exciting 16-year-old Brock Evans. The Klippers also enjoy plenty of success against the Terriers in Kindersley, sporting a 5-2-1-1 record at the West Central Events Centre over the last five years, and with this fifth and final meeting of the season, the Klippers are also looking at climbing out of the SJHL’s basement for the first time this season.
Milestones:
Two milestones were hit by Yorkton Terriers last night. As the game started, Quintin Unreiner played in his 100th career Junior A hockey game. Since being acquired from the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks, Unreiner has been a massive piece to Yorkton’s defensive core. His skating is among the best in the league, while he can also chip in offensively from time to time. Being an 2003-born player, the Medicine Hat product will be leaned on heavily as an overager next season. The other milestone was notched by Dylan Ruptash, the first Terrier to hit 20 goals this season. Ruptash came into his rookie season with a fair amount of fanfare and has not disappointed, leading SJHL rookies in goals and being among the best rookies in the league. The Edmonton product should receive a rookie of the year nomination, and he will be an integral part of Yorkton’s success in the future.
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Ruptash (20)
Assists: Hall & Perkins (16)
Points: Ruptash (34)
PIM: Mayes (181)
Goalie: Allen 13-22-1, 3.86, 0.896% 1SO 1G