MELFORT, SK – Bryson Aikens completed his hat-trick midway through the third period as the Melfort Mustangs rallied past the Yorkton Terriers 5-4 inside the Northern Lights Palace.
The Melfort Mustangs grabbed control early, opening the scoring midway through the first period when Bryson Aikens converted on a breakaway to make it 1–0.
A checking-from-behind penalty to Tylan Henrikson put Yorkton on the penalty kill late in the period, and Melfort capitalized as Will Munro buried a power-play goal to double the lead. The Mustangs outshot the Terriers 13–6 and carried a 2–0 advantage into the intermission.
In the middle frame, the Terriers’ offence came to life, sparked by their power play. On a 5-on-3 advantage, Jye Zawatsky cut the deficit in half with his third goal of the season. Moments later, Yorkton struck again in transition — Thomas Ries fed a streaking Evan Auld, who ripped his second of the year top corner to even the score.
The Terriers weren’t done there. Vinay Junek gave Yorkton its first lead of the night, sneaking his fourth of the season past Madden Mulawka to make it 3–2.
The teams traded goals late in the frame — Aikens notched his second of the night for Melfort, but Zawatsky quickly answered with his second of the game to restore Yorkton’s lead.
In the third period, the Mustangs struck twice in quick succession. Will Munro notched his second of the night to tie the game, and moments later, Bryson Aikens completed his hat trick, beating Montoya glove-side to restore the Melfort lead.
The Terriers had a few chances to tie the game but failed to solve Mulawka.
The two teams will meet again in Yorkton, Puck drop 7:00 PM.
