Desperately chasing Melville for the last playoff spot the game Friday at the Farrell Agencies Arena in Yorkton was a definite must win for the home team.
But the first period did not go the Terriers way.
Logan Foster of the Millionaires started the scoring with a powerplay marker 8:08 into the contest.
Then 1:39 later Cory Schillo struck to make it 2-0, with Isaac Embree adding a third goal 1:08 after the second.
The Mills 3-0 lead became 4-0 1:54 into the second period with a goal which proved to be the last marker of the game.
Colby Entz recorded the shut-out for Melville facing only 26-shots.
Ben Laidlaw started in the Terrier net but was lifted after allowing the three first period goals on eight shots. Joe Marcouiller went the rest of the way facing 32-shots.
Terrier head coach Mat Hehr said it was hard to put a finger on why the Terriers struggled on their home ice.
“I really can’t bare down on too many things. We were just soft. There were just too many soft plays especially at the start,” he said.
It was a more offensive game a day later as the teams met again in Melville Saturday.
Chantz Petruic started the scoring for Yorkton 1:23 into the contest, then added a second goal at 12:12 to give the visiting Terriers a 2-0 lead through 20-minutes.
In the second Petruic struck again, this one on the powerplay, at the six-minute mark to complete a natural hat trick.
Fifty-six seconds later Cody Dubas would make it 4-0.
The Millionaires finally got on the board at 7:23 of the second on a goal by Aidan Steinke.
It took only 1:09 before Austen Flaman has restored a four-goal Terrier lead.
The Mills would scratch back into the game with goals by Cory Schillo and Damian Bentz before Cole Keenleyside scored for Yorkton to make it 6-3 heading to the dressing room after 40-minutes.
In the third Quinten Hobbs added a seventh Terrier goal before Bentz and Steinke made the score respectable for Melville at 7-5 for Yorkton.
Joe Marcouiller took the win in the Terrier net facing 36-shots.
Colby Entz faced 26 shots in the Melville net, before Brandon Wells took over facing 19.
Hehr said he was happy to see the rebound in Melville.
“Our powerplay was great Saturday,” he said. “We kept it simple and scored some rebound goals.”
The inability to get the big four points makes a shot at a playoff spot nearly impossible for the Terriers, but the final games of the season still have importance, reminds Hehr.
“No one’s job is guaranteed for next season. No one’s job is safe. They all have something to prove,” he said.
While the entire team with the exception of goaltender Marcouiller eligible to return for the 2018-19 season, Hehr said changes are still anticipated.
“We do need to upgrade,” he said, adding he anticipated more local talent to move onto the roster, which he sees as a positive for the organization.
Last Wednesday
The Terriers were in Melfort Feb. 7, to face the Mustangs.
The Terriers took the early lead on a goal by Matthew Jones, but Tyson Meyers would respond for Melfort leaving the contest knotted 1-1 through 20-munites of play.
In the second the Terriers were held off the scoresheet as Ben Allen and Zach Anderson potted goals for the home team.
Allen was back 1:02 into the third to extent the Mustang lead to 4-1.
Parker Gervais would add a second Yorkton goal, before Meyers rounded out the scoring with his second of the night for a 5-2 Mustang win.
Ben Laidlaw took the loss in the Terrier net facing 46-shots, while Hunter Arps had the win for Melfort facing 26-shots.
Up next
Tonight, (Wednesday), Yorkton hosts Kindersley at the Farrell Agencies Arena.
The Klippers return to Yorkton for action Friday as well.
LaRonge will be here for a rare 4:30 start on Sunday, and then the teams meet up at 2 Monday in the city.
