News Review
The Yorkton Hometown Cycle Midget AA Terriers found the winning formula over the weekend as they claimed a win and a tie at home to the Swift Current K-Motel Hurricanes.
The Midget Terriers won the first game 5-1.
Scoring was a team effort for the Terriers as Taylor Schick, Nick Jonassen, Nathan Shabatura, Chad Taylor and Justin Stupak each scored.
Matthew Procycshen led in assists with two, while Ryan Romanow, Rhett Reeve, Shelby Gray, Keegan Sharp, Joran Kramer and Jonassen each earned one assist.
Devon Byblow was solid in goal, allowing only one to get by him.
Swift Current proved a little more determined Sunday.
The Midget Terriers hit the scoreboard first and held the lead through 40 minutes
The Hurricanes who pulled within one managed to tie the game in the final frame.
Schick and Jonassen were Midget Terrier marksmen with one goal apiece.
Romanow, Brandon Whitehawk and Nolan Friday each earned an assist.
Midget Terrier head coach Brian Boechler says he was very pleased how the boys responded after a tough weekend. They came out ready to play, and showed a lot of discipline, he feels. “They worked hard at doing the things we asked them to do,” Boechler states.
He feels the team’s effort and enthusiasm was significantly improved.
Boechler notes all the lines are beginning to score.
Both goaltenders, Byblow and Luke Boechler have been playing well. Part of the credit goes to the defense which has picked up its game substantially. “They’ve been keeping the shots mostly to the outside,” he states.
“The thing we’re most pleased with is our forwards are starting to buy into the overall defensive system,” Boechler says. Forwards were coming back to cover their own zones in the home end, he points out.
In addition to defending their own end, the forwards were also making the most of their scoring opportunities.
The Midget Terriers stuck to the game plan in the second game, a 2-2 tie. A couple of breakdowns resulted in goals by Swift Current. The defense played well. The breakdown was once again the defensive zone coverage by the forwards, Boechler suggests.
“We were a bit snake bitten at the other end with pucks just missing,” he adds.
He says he’s quite happy to come away with three of four points on the weekend, though he concedes it could have easily been four out of four.
“We’re getting close to that 500 mark. As long as we show that type of improvement, we’ll be able to stay in every game. We may not win them all, but we’ll be in every game.”
Boechler proposes honorable mentions to both goaltenders. “I think they both played very well.“
Justin Stupak was outstanding on the penalty kill.
Boechler offers kudos to his defense, including Jordan Kramer, who probably played his best hockey of the season, Keegan Sharp had an exceptional game, as did Dylan Trowell and Rhett Reeve, he says.
Jordan Dozorec, who struggled lately came through with a strong game both days.
Taylor Schick is showing some strong offensive skills, Boechler says.
Nick Jonassen who’s been under the weather recently, has shown some improved play since recovering.
Brandon Whitehawk who injured his wrist in the team’s first series against Weyburn, was all over the ice and played quite a dominant role in the second game. “He’s always had exceptional talent, but his defensive play is something we’re very pleased with, Boechler closes.