YORKTON, SK: Zayden Sadlemyer’s marker late in the first period stood up as the game-winner as the Yorkton Terriers fell 3-1 on home ice to the Melfort Mustangs.
The third installment of the season between the Terriers and Mustangs got off to a fast start, as Terriers captain Jaron Desnoyers broke free on a breakaway in the opening minute but missed the net.
Shortly after, the Terriers earned an early power play, generating four shots and coming close on a couple of occasions. However, they couldn’t solve Madden Mulawka, who got the start in goal for the Mustangs in place of injured workhorse Kristian Coombs.
The Mustangs opened the scoring on a power play, with Zac Somers finishing off a three-way passing play from Reilley Kotai and Logan Belton.
They doubled their lead in the final minutes of the first period when Zayden Sadlemyer redirected a Ty Thornton pass past Callum Creig, making it 2-0.
The Mustangs outshot the Terriers 14-11 in the opening frame.
In the second period, Callum Creig came up big with three key saves early on to keep the deficit at 2-0. His biggest stop came off the stick of Zayden Sadlemyer, as he lunged to his left and robbed him on the doorstep with a stellar right-pad save.
The Terriers finally solved Mulawka on their fourth power play of the evening. The puck found its way to Thomas Ries in the slot, and he snuck it under the arm to cut the lead in half. The goal was the defenceman’s eighth of the season, with David Coyle and Bryce Dahl picking up the assists.
The Mustangs narrowly outshot the Terriers 10-9 in the second period.
In the final frame, the Mustangs extended their lead early on the power play as Will Munro tipped an Ashton Paul shot from the left circle, making it 3-1.
The Terriers pushed hard in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t solve Mulawka for the rest of the game.
Creig made 33 saves in the loss, while Mulawka stopped 27 of 28
The Terriers will be back in action Friday night at home when the Battlefords North Stars come to town.