Terriers Welcome Estevan For Game 3
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
It’s must win territory for the Yorkton Terriers. Down 2-0 in the series, the Terriers need to win both games at home to keep pace with the Estevan Bruins. The Terriers looked better in game 2 at Affinity Place, losing 3-1 in a game where two turnovers directly led to goals. Discipline was also much better for Yorkton where they only took one penalty. Getting to Bilous will be key for Yorkton. Even though they put up 31 shots on goal, there were not enough grade A opportunities. If they can make life difficult in front of Bilous, then the Terriers have a shot at filling the back of the net, like they did in game 1. Defense will also be key for the Terriers. 10 goals have gotten past Kael DePape in the first two games, with odd man rushes and second and third opportunities at rebounds being the main culprits. While difficult, a strong defensive component will keep the Terriers close to the Bruins, while they look to claw back into the series.
View From Estevan:
The Estevan Bruins are a well oiled machine who can beat you in multiple ways. In game 1 it was run and gun led by a five point night by Olivier Pouliot. In game 2, it was a grind it out triumph, complimented by an opportunistic offense, led by a pair of goals from Eric Pearce. The Bruins were the league’s best team, and they are showing why against the Terriers. The status of Pouliot might be a concern for Estevan. Missing game 2 with injury, there is no word how long the Rimouski, Quebec product will be out of the lineup, however, there is belief that this injury is not long term. Mark Rumsey and Pearce lead the playoffs with goals scored, which is what you would expect from your 20-year-olds, while Mikol Sartor has had his fingerprints all over this series. With Nolan Jones anchoring the backend, the Bruins look to be a solid host for this year’s Centennial Cup, even though they have made it clear that the national championship is the furthest thing from their minds during the playoffs.
Regina’s Own:
Defensive play is a key to success for the Yorkton Terriers, but also getting offense from the defencemen might be crucial for the orange and gray. One of the top producing defenders for Yorkton this season has been Parker Jasper. Paired with 20-year-old Tyson Janzen, Jasper finished the year with 2 goals, 26 assists for 28 points, good for third on the team in defencemen scoring. Jasper has a quick first step and an eye for picking out teammates with the first pass. Yorkton’s counter attacks are deadly because of Jasper. In his 18-year-old season, Jasper still has plenty of room to grow and solidify himself as the best defender on the team moving forward. It may be a lot to ask, but if the Terriers can get even more out of their defense from guys like Jasper, then they will have a shot at getting back in the series and upsetting the SJHL’s number one team.
Playoff Journey
Terriers win Best of 7 Quarter-final series over Melfort 4-3
Game #1: 4-1 Melfort
(Clarke Huxley – 2 goals, Joel Favreau – 27 saves)
Game #2: 4-3 Yorkton (2OT)
(Kishaun Gervais – overtime winner, Cade Kennedy – first SJHL goal)
Game #3: 2-1 Yorkton (OT)
(Greg Nelson – overtime winner and one assist, Kael DePape – 31 saves)
Game #4: 5-2 Yorkton
(Kody Norberg- 1st career SJHL goal & game winner, Kael DePape – 38 saves)
Game #5: 5-1 Melfort
(Marco Lopez – 1 goal & 2 assists, Dawson Leroux – 2 assists)
Game #6: 5-3 Melfort
(Ben Tkachuk & Nolan Doell – 1 goal & 1 assist, Kishaun Gervais – 2 goals)
Game #7: 3-1 Yorkton
(Erik Boers – 2 goals, Kael DePape – 32 saves)
Bruins lead Best of 7 Semi-final Series 2-0
Game #1: 7-4 Estevan
(Olivier Pouliot – 2 goals & 3 assists, Karsten Kruska – 2 goals)
Game #2: 3-1 Estevan
(Eric Pearce – 2 goals, Boston Bilous 30 saves)
Yorkton Terriers Estevan Bruins
Powerplay: 5/36 – 13.9% (6th SJHL) Powerplay: 7/33 – 21.2% (4th SJHL)
Penalty Kill: 41/47 – 87.2% (3rd SJHL) Penalty Kill: 26/27 – 96.3% (1st SJHL)
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: Gervais (5)
Assists: Gervais & Kruska (4)
Points: Gervais (9)
PIM: Hall (30)
Goalie: DePape 4-5-0, 3.26, 0.904%