Terriers, Millionaires Wrap Up Season Series
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
It’s the 10th and final meeting of the regular season between the Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires, and no game this season is bigger than this one. The Terriers come into the match-up after taking three of a possible four points on a road swing through western Saskatchewan, which saw an overtime win over Battlefords and a shootout loss to Kindersley. Kishaun Gervais led the way in North Battleford with two points including the overtime winner, while Kael DePape had an excellent bounce back game against Kindersley, making 35 saves in the loss. Injuries also have piled up on the Terriers, forcing the team to play shorthanded as of late, including icing a roster of 11 forwards and 5 defenders against Kindersley. Parker Jasper, Cole Buehler, Logan Cyca, Nolan Wutzke, Tyson Perkins and JD Hall have all suffered injuries, with Hall and Cyca the most likely to return in the near future.
View From Melville:
Sitting three points out of a playoff spot and playing more games than the teams ahead of time, Melville is fighting for their playoff lives. The Millionaires have not had much success as of late, losing eight of their last ten games, including back to back losses to the league’s bottom feeder, the Weyburn Red Wings. If anything gives the Mils confidence heading into tonight’s game, it is the fact that they won their previous meeting against the Terriers, and they’ve taken two games on the road against their Highway 10 rivals. The last time these two teams met, Noah Wills led the way with a three point night, while Louis-Frederic Theberge scored two goals in the contest, as part of a five goal third period outburst for the Millionaires. Desperate for points, Melville should come out firing at the Westland Insurance Arena in this intense battle of arch rivals.
Next Man Up:
Injuries have taken their toll on the Yorkton Terriers, especially on the defensive front where three regulars are out with long term injuries. While 20-year-olds Tyson Janzen and Tanner Sklaruk continue to lead the way, the rookies are asked to step up to replace their downed teammates. Among them is Kody Norberg. The Warman product is the youngest player on the team and at times his inexperience has shown. Despite the growing pains, the 17-year-old has taken several steps forward towards becoming a regular in the lineup next season and beyond. With the loss of Jasper, Buehler and Perkins, Mat Hehr has given more responsibility to guys like Norberg, to fill in the holes. Norberg has filled in admirably, as the Terriers fight for their playoff lives over the next month. If he continues his strong play, Norberg will prove why he was selected fifth overall in the 2019 SJHL Bantam Draft.
Tale of the Tape
Yorkton Terriers (21-20-1-5 – 48 points) Melville Millionaires (16-23-8-1 – 41 points)
2nd Viterra Division/ T-6th SJHL 3rd Viterra Division/ 10th SJHL
Powerplay: 20/170 – 11.8% (10th SJHL) Powerplay: 22/190 – 11.6% (11th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 184/212 – 86.8% (3rd SJHL) Penalty Kill: 129/150 – 79.3% (8th SJHL)
Last Ten: 4-5-0-1 Streak: 1-0-0-1 Last Ten: 2-6-1-1 Streak: 0-1-1-0
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Gervais (16)
Assists: Jasper (24)
Points: Norum (33)
PIM: Gervais (82)
Goalie: DePape 16-13-0-5, 2.34, 0.916%, 3 SO