Story Coming In:
Yorkton looks to replicate what they did in the first round series against the Melfort Mustangs. Drop the opening game by three goals and earn a split on enemy ice. The Terriers need to shore things up defensively, where they gave up 7 goals on 36 shots. Karsten Kruska had a good game with a pair of goals, while Kishaun Gervais and Tyson Janzen also had two point nights. Kael DePape will look to rebound in game two after a subpar night in goal on Friday. As always, discipline will be a factor for the Terriers. They have taken the most penalties in the SJHL during the playoffs, and trouble in that department led to the Bruins taking a lead they would not relinquish. If Yorkton can cut down the penalties, play strong defensively and pressure Boston Bilous, then they have an excellent opportunity to tie up their semi-final series.
View From Estevan:
The Bruins have now won five games in a row after a dominating performance on offense. Olivier Pouliot led the way with a five point night, extending his point lead in the playoffs with 15. The power-play was a key factor to the Bruins coming out victorious, as they went 2-for-6 on the man advantage, both coming in the second period after Yorkton tied up the hockey game. Bilous had a down night according to his standards, but he wasn’t needed to steal the game for Estevan. If the offense sputters, then the Langley product may be asked to do more in the Bruin goal. The Bruins look to take full control of this semi-final series, as they hope to go 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time since 2018.
Zach Mac:
It’s been a solid postseason for Zach McIntyre. Playing playoff hockey for the first time since the 2019 postseason as a member of the Humboldt Broncos, McIntyre takes on a familiar foe that his Broncos fell to in 2019 in 7 games. On a mission of personal revenge, the 21-year-old Rhein, Saskatchewan product is tied for third on the team with points, while leading the Terriers with two power-play goals. Markers on the man advantage has been a specialty for McIntyre, who tallied up 8 power-play goals in the regular season. The Terriers beating the Estevan Bruins in the semi-final series would be a colossal upset, and they need help from all players, led by their overagers like McIntyre. If Zach Mac can find another gear in his game and produce points at a high rate, then Yorkton will have a chance to pull off the shock of the playoffs.
Playoff Journey
Terriers win Best of 7 Quarter-final series over Melfort 4-3
Game #1: 4-1 Melfort
(Clarke Huxley – 2 goals, Joel Favreau – 27 saves)
Game #2: 4-3 Yorkton (2OT)
(Kishaun Gervais – overtime winner, Cade Kennedy – first SJHL goal)
Game #3: 2-1 Yorkton (OT)
(Greg Nelson – overtime winner and one assist, Kael DePape – 31 saves)
Game #4: 5-2 Yorkton
(Kody Norberg- 1st career SJHL goal & game winner, Kael DePape – 38 saves)
Game #5: 5-1 Melfort
(Marco Lopez – 1 goal & 2 assists, Dawson Leroux – 2 assists)
Game #6: 5-3 Melfort
(Ben Tkachuk & Nolan Doell – 1 goal & 1 assist, Kishaun Gervais – 2 goals)
Game #7: 3-1 Yorkton
(Erik Boers – 2 goals, Kael DePape – 32 saves)
Bruins lead Best of 7 Semi-final Series 1-0
Game #1: 7-4 Estevan
(Olivier Pouliot – 2 goals & 3 assists, Karsten Kruska – 2 goals)
Yorkton Terriers Estevan Bruins
Powerplay: 5/34 – 14.7% (6th SJHL) Powerplay: 7/32 – 21.9% (4th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 40/46 – 87% (3rd SJHL) Penalty Kill: 24/25 – 96% (1st SJHL)
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Gervais (5)
Assists: Gervais & Kruska (4)
Points: Gervais (9)
PIM: Hall (30)
Goalie: DePape 4-4-0, 3.28, 0.905%
