Yorkton Looks To Take Commanding Series Lead
Photo Credit: Simple Shots By Jackie Story Coming In:
Back-to-back overtime victories have awarded the Yorkton Terriers a 2-1 series lead. Greg Nelson was one of two heroes in Tuesday’s game, scoring the game winner 7:15 into overtime while adding an assist on Parker Jasper’s game tying marker. Kael DePape was sensational in net for the Terriers, making 31 saves including outright robbing Marco Lopez in overtime with his left pad. The Terriers produce by committee, while playing a rough, defense first game. So far it has frustrated the high powered Mustangs. The penalty kill has been superb, only allowing one power-play goal in 20 opportunities this series. The one area that could use improvement is the power-play, which has gone 2-for-12 so far, both goals coming in game 2. In a pivotal game 4 at the Westland Insurance Arena, the Terriers look to use home ice to their advantage once again, as they try to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
View From Melfort:
It’s been a frustrating series for the Melfort Mustangs. Down 2-1, the top guns have not found their groove, the power-play has sputtered, and injuries are beginning to pile up. Every player who sat out of the lineup on Tuesday was either a 19 or 20-year-old, with the status of Hayden Tuba, Seth McCulloch and Carter Anderson unknown. The bright spot of the series has been goaltender Joel Favreau, who has kept his team in the series. Help is also on the way with Nolan Doell returning from his two game suspension. The leading scorer for the Mustangs could be the spark the Mustangs need to get going. In a series where Melfort has been battered and bruised, it feels like a must win game for Trevor Blevins’ group in a building that has not been kind to Melfort.
More Hall:
With the possibility of additional suspensions and the status of Clay Sleeva unknown, the Terriers may be asking for a little more from JD Hall. The Raymond, Alberta product has been a handful for the Mustangs, using his large frame to punish the opposition, making them think twice about going into a corner with him. With a pair of assists in the series, Hall has chipped a little offensively, while drawing time on the power-play and on the penalty kill. Erik Boers and Carson Henry will both be out of the lineup on Wednesday, serving the second game of their two game suspensions. This leaves the door open for the next man up, which is the 20-year-old Hall, and so far, he’s proven that he is equal to the task.
Tale of the Tape
Terriers Lead Best of 7 Series 2-1
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)
Yorkton Terriers Melfort Mustangs
Powerplay: 2/12 – 16.7% Powerplay: 1/20 – 5%
Penalty Kill: 19/20 – 95% Penalty Kill: 10/12 – 83.3%
Stats Leaders For Yorkton:
Goals: 7 tied at (1)
Assists: Hall (2)
Points: 5 tied at (2)
PIM: Hall (16)
Goalie: DePape 2-1-0, 2.25, 0.927%