Terriers Seek First Win Of The Season Against Melfort

Story Coming In:

The Terriers dropped the opening weekend home and home series to the Estevan Bruins 2-1 and 4-3. In both games, they played well defensively, even holding Estevan to 16 shots on Saturday. Karsten Kruska, Maddux Nollski and Clay Sleeva each scored their first career SJHL goals over the weekend, with Kruska having goals in back to back games. However, the Terriers are still looking for production from their top unit of Carson Henry, Steven Norum and Erik Boers, who have combined for one assist. Getting Jacob Herman back from the Swift Current Broncos camp was huge for Yorkton, as it gives the team a bonafide number one goalie. So far Herman has rewarded his team so far by giving them a chance to win every night. Tonight’s game marks the second match of a four game homestand, which will see the Terriers play Weyburn on Thursday and Notre Dame on Saturday, before heading to Warman for the SJHL Showcase.

 

View from Melfort:

The Mustangs split their opening weekend series with the Flin Flon Bombers. Early indications show that the Mustangs are dangerous offensively with Melfort 3rd in the league in goals per game, and at number one with the most shots per game. Offence has been spread out throughout this veteran laden offence, where 5 goal scorers have tallied the team’s 8 goals and 12 players have points so far. The only weakness this team has shown early on is the penalty kill, where Melfort is sporting a paltry 60% success rate. Tonight is the second matchup of a three game road trip for the Mustangs, which will wrap up in Nipawin on Friday.

 

The Top Guns:

The Yorkton Terriers are hoping to gain more production out of their top line. So far, the first line of Steven Norum, Erik Boers and Carson Henry have only combined for one point in their opening two games. Granted, both games were against an excellent opponent in the Estevan Bruins, but if the Terriers want success this season, they will need consistent production from their number one unit. All three players are tireless, able to grind opposing defences into the ground. Right now, the bounces aren’t quite going their way, but once this line combines for their first goal of the season, there is a good chance the floodgates will open for the 20-year-olds. 

 

Tale of the Tape 

 

Yorkton Terriers (0-2-0-0 – 0 points)                              Melfort Mustangs (1-1-0-0 – 2 points)

4th Viterra Division/ 10th SJHL                                         2nd Sherwood Division/ 5th SJHL

Powerplay: 1/11 – 9.1% (8th SJHL)                                  Powerplay: 2/10 – 20.0% (T-4th SJHL)

Penalty Kill: 10/12 – 83.3% (5th SJHL)                           Penalty Kill: 6/10 – 60.0% (10th SJHL)

Last Ten: 0-2-0-0 Streak: 0-2-0-0                                     Last Ten: 1-1-0-0 Streak: 0-1-0-0

 

Stats Leaders For Yorkton:

Goals: Kruska (2)

Assists: Janzen (2)

Points: 3 tied at (2)

PIM: Perkins (6)

Goalie: Herman 0-2-0-0, 3.07, 0.887