YORKTON, SK – Rielly Kotai’s third-period penalty shot goal stood as the game-winner as the Melfort Mustangs defeated the Yorkton Terriers 3-1, completing a series sweep to advance to the SJHL Finals.
The first period of Game Four was fairly uneventful, with both teams playing a tight, cautious style that resulted in just nine shots combined.
Yorkton found themselves in early penalty trouble, sending Melfort to the powerplay twice. Fortunately for the Terriers, their penalty kill unit was sharp, with key blocks from Thomas Ries, Carter Briltz, and Tylan Henrikson helping to keep the Mustangs off the board. Yorkton would earn a powerplay opportunity of their own later in the period but, like Melfort, failed to convert. After 20 minutes, the Mustangs held a narrow 5-4 edge in shots.
The middle frame brought the game’s first breakthrough. Just 52 seconds in, Zac Sommers deflected a Ty Thornton point shot past Ethan Farrow, giving Melfort a 1-0 lead.
The Terriers had their best chance of the period during a powerplay when William Léonard found space in the slot, but his shot was turned away by Mustangs netminder Kristian Coombs. Yorkton had two powerplay opportunities in the second period but could not solve Coombs, who remained sharp between the pipes. Melfort outshot Yorkton 12-6 in the second, building momentum heading into the final frame.
In the third, the Terriers finally broke through on the man advantage. Tate Schofer redirected a shot past Coombs for his fifth goal of the playoffs, tying the game 1-1 and giving the home crowd new life.
However, the Mustangs would regain the lead in dramatic fashion. After Vinay Junek was penalized for covering the puck in the crease, Rielly Kotai was awarded a penalty shot. Kotai made no mistake, snapping a shot past Farrow to restore Melfort’s advantage at 2-1.
Melfort would add some insurance late in the third period, as Nick Andrusiak found the back of the net through a screen, doubling the Mustangs’ lead.
The Terriers pressed hard in the final minutes, pulling their goaltender for the extra attacker and generating some quality chances, but they were unable to beat Coombs again. As the final buzzer sounded, Yorkton’s season came to an end, while Melfort punched their ticket to the SJHL Finals.
