Game two of the Yorkton Hyundai Terriers and La Ronge Ice Wolves best-of-seven series was a back and forth affair, with the Terriers’ potent powerplay proving the difference.
Booker Chacalias started the scoring in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League contest giving the Ice Wolves the lead 6:57 into the first period.
A powerplay marker from Kaeden Taphorm tied the score at the Farrell Agencies Arena tonoght (Saturday). The goal game at 9:13.
The teams moved to the middle stanza tied 1-1 staying that way until Chad McIlwain potted an unassisted marker for La Ronge 3:46 into the frame.
Chantz Petruic knotted the score at 2-2 with a powerplay goal at 5:32.
The 2-2 score held until well into the third when the Ice Woves inched ahead 3-2 on a powerplay goal by Grant Longtin at 8:43.
Petruic tied the game 3-3 with yet another powerplay goal, this one at 15:15.
The game was finally decided at 17:06 of the third period as Alec Zawatsky notched the game-winner on the powerplay to secure a4-3 win.
Matthew Pesenti earned the win in the Yorkton n t facing 29-shots, while Xavier Cannon took the loss for La Ronge facing 36.
Terrier head coach Mat Hehr said there was much more to be pleased about in the game than in the 6-1 loss Friday.
Hehr said the Terriers watched video of Friday’s loss, “and it wasn’t pretty.” But the players listened and it showed as they stayed on course in terms of following the game plan in game two.
“I’m so proud of the way the guys responded.”
That said the key was a powerplay that accounted for all four goals. Hehr said that wasan indication of how players such as Petruic and Zawawatsky played.
“They definitely stepped up,” he said.
That was important with a man advantage because Hehr admitted “we didn’t generate much five-on-five.”
The win has evened the series at a game apiece with action moving to La Ronge for games three and four Tuesday and Wednesday.
Switching to La Ronge Hehr said the Terriers need to stay disciplined and not gove the Ice Wolves powerplay chances.
“It’s a very, very small barn. It will be an absolute war out there,” he said, adding over the regular season La Ronge took more penalties than Yorkton and he wants that trend to continue. “We want to stay out of the box.”
