Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

TERRIERS, BRUINS RING IN 2020 WITH WINS

The Year 2020 started much like 2019 looked for Chantz Petruic and the Yorkton Terriers, as Petruic scored twice more, leading Yorkton to a 4-0 win over Melville, as the two clubs split their annual New Year’s home-and-home, following Melville’s win at home on Monday.

Ryan Ouelette stopped all 30 shots he faced for his second shutout this season.  Ouelette is now 15-3-0-1 since returning to Yorkton this year, with a 2.04 GAA and .943%.

Petruic’s pair of goals gives him 14 multi-goal games on the season, and a league-high 46-goals and 83-points through 41-games.  He’s 19 goals and 20 points clear of his nearest competition in those categories.  Speaking of wide gaps, the Terriers (24-16-1-0) remain 17 points up on Estevan for the Viterra Division lead, sitting third overall in the standings, two points back second.

Keenan Taphorn led Yorkton with a goal and two assists on Wednesday, Ethan Robson also found the net and Alec Zawatsky had two assists.

Berk Berkeliev made 41/45 saves in goal for the Millionaires (12-19-2-4).  Yorkton out-shot Melville 45-30, including 21-4 in the third period alone, where Berkeliev stopped 20/21 shots.

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The Estevan Bruins continue their pursuit of a playoff spot with a 5-2 win over Weyburn on New Year’s Day, sweeping that home and home, while moving to within just one point of Kindersley and Notre Dame, who sit tied for the league’s final post-season berth.  The Bruins also have multiple games in hand on both.

The Bruins (15-17-2-1) overcame a pair of one goal deficits, scoring four unanswered goals including three in the third period.  Jayden Davis, Kade McMillen and Tanner Manz all had a goal and an assist, while Devan Harrison and Tyson Manz also found the net.  (Tyson) Manz was without a goal in his first 33 games this season, before scoring in back to back games against Weyburn after Christmas.  Keenan Rancier made 17/19 saves in the win.

Rookie defenseman Jordan Gagnon opened the scoring with his first SJHL goal for the Red Wings (14-22-0-1) while Liam Rutten added the other. and Joseph Young made 27/30 saves.  It was a 3-2 game before Estevan scored a pair of empty-net goals.