YORKTON, SK: Jaron Desnoyers recorded two assists in his return to the lineup, while Ethan Farrow stopped 25 shots to earn his 15th win of the season as the Yorkton Terriers defeated the Nipawin Hawks 3-2 on home ice.
In the first period, the Terriers’ offence came out strong, with William Léonard finding the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season. Jeff Hammond and Captain Jaron Desnoyers picked up assists on the play.
The Terriers struck again off the rush, as defenceman Thomas Ries finished a three-way passing play with Vinay Junek and Tylan Henrikson. Henrikson was honoured before the game for being named the Terriers’ RBC Ambassador, and he helped set up Ries for his seventh goal of the season.
It was a shooting gallery in the Hawks’ end throughout the period, with the home side peppering Nipawin goaltender Gage Roberts with 21 shots. Roberts made several highlight-reel saves to keep the game close, including three or four that could be considered “ten-bell” stops.
The opening twenty minutes were feisty, with over 60 combined penalty minutes between the two teams. The Terriers outshot the Hawks 21-7 during the period.
In the middle frame, the Terriers’ offence struck early on the man advantage. Tate Schofer was beautifully set up backdoor by Jeff Hammond, making it a 3-0 game. It was Schofer’s fifth goal of the campaign, with Jaron Desnoyers picking up his second assist of the night on the play.
The scoring chances continued to pile up as Keenan Ingram and Hammond both had grade-A looks, but Nipawin goaltender Gage Roberts stood tall yet again.
The Hawks cut into the lead late in the period, as Mason Karakochuk beat Terriers netminder Ethan Farrow with a wraparound goal, narrowing the score to 3-1.
The period featured five penalties, but Yorkton was the only team to capitalize on the power play. The Terriers narrowly outshot the Hawks 9-8 in the frame.
In the third period, the Hawks made a serious push, testing Farrow with 13 shots. They had a golden opportunity to cut into the lead when Konnor Watson was awarded a penalty shot, but Farrow denied him with a sharp blocker save.
The Hawks did manage to trim the deficit, though, as Eric Hoiness snapped his seventh goal of the season glove side, making it a 3-2 game. Despite the late pressure and a couple of dangerous chances with the Hawks’ goaltender pulled, the Terriers held on to secure a much-needed victory.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Terriers as the division-leading Weyburn Red Wings visit Westland Insurance Arena. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM.