HUMBOLDT, SK: Carter Briltz played hero for the second consecutive night, scoring the shootout winner as the Yorkton Terriers stormed back to defeat the Humboldt Broncos 5-4 in a Family Day matinee, extending their winning streak to five games.
The Broncos jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, with goals from Rylan Hue and Maddox Amaral just 2:30 apart, the latter coming on the power play. The Terriers had a golden opportunity to respond with a 5-on-3 power play, but despite sustained pressure, they couldn’t solve Brady Holtvogt, who turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the opening frame.
In the second period, the Terriers’ offence came out firing on all cylinders. Just 2:44 in, Tylan Henrikson got them on the board, assisted by Quinn Schutte. Only 11 seconds later, David Coyle beat Holtvogt to tie the game at 2-2, netting his 25th goal of the season and scoring in his third consecutive game.
The Broncos answered with a pair of goals from Boris Kofman and Marik Mamic to restore a two-goal lead at 4-2. However, the Terriers clawed back late in the period when captain Jaron Desnoyers struck on the power play, sliding one five-hole to cut the deficit to one heading into the third.
In the final frame, the Terriers’ power play came through again. Desnoyers, set up by Coyle at the doorstep, buried the equalizer to send the game to overtime.
Overtime was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with the Broncos earning a 4-on-3 power play. However, goaltender Ethan Farrow and the Terriers’ penalty killers stood tall, forcing a shootout.
In the shootout, Jacob Strizzi and Coyle each scored for their respective teams. With the game on the line, Farrow made a clutch save on former Terrier Cade Kennedy, setting the stage for Briltz. Coming in slowly, Briltz executed a slick forehand deke, sliding the puck past Holtvogt to seal the dramatic 5-4 comeback victory.
Farrow was brilliant, stopping 33 shots in regulation and three of four in the shootout, earning his 19th win of the campaign.
With the victory, the Terriers remain in the thick of the Viterra Division race, picking up their 30th win of the season and inching closer to clinching a playoff spot.
They’ll be back in action tomorrow evening when the La Ronge Ice Wolves come to town, as they continue their grueling four-game week, three of which will be played at Westland Arena.
