In Game 5, it was the visiting Battlefords North Stars who struck first, as Cole Hines tipped a Raiden Zacharias shot past Callum Creig to open the scoring.
The Terriers responded with one of the prettiest goals of the postseason. Captain Tylan Henrikson made a power move to the net, slipping past Gavin Granger before pulling the puck to his forehand and tucking it home for his first of the playoffs—sending Terrier fans into a frenzy.
Both teams earned a power play opportunity in the opening 20 minutes, while the North Stars held a slight 11-10 edge in shots.
Battlefords regained the lead just 30 seconds into the second period, as Finlay Klippenstein wired a glove-side shot past a screened Creig.
Moments later, the Terriers’ netminder came up big, denying Eric Marks on a shorthanded breakaway—and Yorkton made it count. Just as the power play expired, the puck found Aidan Vallance, who buried his first of the playoffs to even the game at two.
Special teams chances continued in the middle frame, but neither side could capitalize, with Battlefords outshooting Yorkton 9-7 in the period.
The deadlock was finally broken at the 15:14 mark of the second, as Cole Hines jammed home his second of the night off an unfortunate bounce following a faceoff.
Yorkton pushed hard late, pulling the goaltender for the extra attacker and generating several quality chances, but couldn’t find a way past Serpa.
The Terriers now head on the road needing a win Monday night to force a decisive Game 7 back in Yorkton.
