Sunday was the Yorkton half of the traditional New Year’s match-up between the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Terriers and the rival Melville Millionaires.
Yorkton hit the scoreboard first at the Farrell Agencies Arena as Chantz Petruic scored the lone goal in the afternoon hook-up.
The Mills took the lead through 40-minutes as Josh Borynec and Daniel Liberty scored for the visitors.
Borynec was back with a pair in the third to extend the Millionaires lead to 4-1 before Cody Bruchkowski scored on the powerplay to round out a 4-2 game.
Colby Entz recorded the win for Melville facing 32-shots, while Ryan Ouellette was tagged with the loss for the Terriers facing 34-shots.
Terrier head coach Mat Hehr said the Terriers came out flat coming off the league’s Christmas break, and he was not impressed by the lack of effort terming it “unacceptable” following the game.
“We came out and showed flashes,” said Hehr, adding like flashes they were too short-lived and for much of the game they let the Millionaires dominate.
Hehr said the Terriers have some skilled players who thought that was all they needed Sunday.
“They weren’t doing the work,” he said.
The lack of effort is something Hehr said he would address at practice Monday.
“They’ll learn about work ethic,” he said, adding that essential aspect of the game apparently was forgotten over the break and the team will have to be reminded.
The one Terrier who Hehr did suggest had a good game was Ouellette.
“I think they (the Mills), would have put up 10 if not for Ouellette … He was our best player by far,” said Heh
