Terriers Set Out On The Road Against Battlefords
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
It was not the home-stand that the Terriers were hoping for. Over the four games, Yorkton only claimed two of a possible eight points, getting outscored 14-8 in the process. Greg Nelson led the team in points over that four game stretch with four, while Tommy Bouchard claimed the team’s only victory in goal. The schedule does not get easier for the Terriers. They now embark on a three game road trip in three nights in western Saskatchewan. It starts with two visits to the Access Communications Centre, where they take on the league leading Battlefords North Stars, before visiting the Kindersley Klippers, a team that has given Yorkton headaches in recent years. A successful road trip for the Terriers would be taking three or four of a possible six points, and closing on the Estevan Bruins for first in the Viterra Division.
View From Battlefords:
No team, other than the Humboldt Broncos, have started the 2022/23 season like the North Stars. Points in all 12 games they’ve played in including a ten game winning streak, the North Stars have buzzed other opponents with ease. A large veteran core and the league’s current top goaltender have been the keys to success for Brayden Klimosko’s group, who have also taken advantage of playing seven games on home ice. Battlefords top line of Holden Doell, Kian Bell and Jake Southgate is among the most impressive in the SJHL. Over the first 12 games of the season, the trio combined for 44 points and 17 goals. Even if you stop them, you then have to deal with the likes of Steven Kesslering, Keiton Klein, Emmett Wurst, Evan Waldie and Colby Bear. The North Stars are loaded, and it will take an opponent’s best, as well as a little bit of luck, to defeat them.
Fire It Up:
Aside from the 7-5 loss to Nipawin, goals were not easy to find for the Terriers during their home-stand. Take that one game away, and Yorkton found the back of the net three times in three games, including getting shut out once. One player who could remedy that is Brett Butz. During the preseason, Butz led the league in points with eight. Granted seven of them were assists, but Butz has shown that he can produce at this level. Combined with Dylan Ruptash, the two SSAC teammates have carried over that chemistry to the SJHL, with Butz as the set-up artist and Ruptash the trigger man. At a time where the Terriers need the young guns to step up the most, Butz will be leaned on more to produce, giving Yorkton a chance to win. If the production goes up, then the numbers in the win column will also increase.
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Nelson & Ruptash (4)
Assists: Hall (5)
Points: Hall & Nelson (8)
PIM: Nollski (40)
Goalie: Allen 5-2-0, 2.70, 0.927% 1SO 1G