The Yorkton Terriers helped their chances of staying in third place, or at the very least top four in a big way on Tuesday, beating the visiting Melfort Mustangs 3-1.
With Yorkton’s win, both Melfort (four points back, three games left) and La Ronge (three points back, two games left) can still overtake them, but that would change if either of them lose again and/or Yorkton picks up one win in their home-and-home with Melville this weekend. Should they finish in third, the Terriers (34-19-2-1) would likely face either Nipawin or Estevan in the playoffs, while it’s looking more and more like a La Ronge vs Melfort 4th vs 5th Quarter-Final, with home ice still up for grabs.
Philippe Bond made 34/35 saves in Tuesday’s victory, while Steven Norum (1g-1a), Keenan Taphorn (1g-1a) and Alec Zawatsky did the scoring. Chantz Petruic returned from the lineup following a six game suspension and had a pair of assists, giving him a league-high 106-points.
Alex Rondeau spoiled Bond’s bid for a shutout with 3:26 left in the game, while Shawn Parkinson made 24/27 saves for the Mustangs (29-17-6-3). Melfort remains one point back of La Ronge for fourth place, with a game in hand. They play Nipawin Friday and Saturday, and host Flin Flon to wrap things up on Monday. Flin Flon will have a big say in who finishes 4th and 5th, as they play La Ronge twice and Melfort once down the stretch. The Bombers have already wrapped up second place, and can’t move up or down.
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The Kindersley Klippers scored four goals in the final 11:43, including three in the last 3:50 of the third period, as they came from behind to beat the Melville Millionaires 5-3.
Scott McKenzie opened the scoring in the first period for the Klippers (23-26-6-1) before Melville rattled off three straight in the second. Noah Lindsay (1g-1a) started the comeback in the third period, before Jacob Schnapp tied it with 3:50 remaining. Liam Fraser’s (1g-1a) 28th of the season was the winner, with 1:58 remaining, and Tyler Traptow added an empty-netter 59 seconds later. Steven Bacovsky made 16/19 saves in the win.
Dylan Thackeray scored twice for the Millionaires (15-34-2-4). Payton Jerome added the other as all three Melville goals came from defensemen. Kaleb McEachern made 53/57 saves, as the Millionaires dropped their eighth straight game.
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Wednesday’s action could see some playoff scenarios get ironed out. Battlefords heads to Humboldt for a very possible first round playoff preview against the Broncos. If the Stars win, that matchup becomes almost assured, while if Battlefords wins, AND Estevan wins tonight in Notre Dame, a Battlefords/Humboldt Quarter-Final (1st vs 8th) would be confirmed.
