The series shifts to Yorkton for game three with the Terriers and Ice Wolves tied at a game apiece.
On Friday night, La Ronge caught Yorkton off guard and that really wasn't a huge surprise as the Terriers played a number of, relatively, easy games on their way to the final. Meanwhile, La Ronge has really had to battle through two top goalies in PJ Musico (Flin Flon) and Charles Corsi (Melfort).
Travis Eggum opened the scoring with a nice move around a defenseman and another to beat Devin Peters for the 1-0 advantage. Robert Monfore scored on a screen shot from the blueline about 90 seconds after that and the result really wasn't in doubt. The Ice Wolves were 5-2 winners.
In game two, the Terriers caught a break in the second when Robbie Ciolfi was given credit for a goal that clearly went in off his skate. What is open for debate is whether or not he made a kicking motion. It certainly appeared to me that he made a definite redirection move with his skate as it went in off the side of his skate. After a brief conference between the on-ice officials, it was decided to give Yorkton the goal. Kurtis Decker scored shortly after that as he picked the puck off the wall and beat Adam Bartko, who was slow getting back in his net after making a clearing attempt behind the goal. The Terriers went on to win 3-0, giving Peters his third shutout in seven postseason starts.
Through two games, the best defense pairing on the ice for either team is Dayton Fossum and Byron Sorensen of the Ice Wolves. They give nothing to the opposition and are quick to jump into the offense. As the series goes deeper, I would expect head coach Bob Beatty to lean even heavier on these two horses.
Yorkton's best player through two games is Devin Peters. They are down 2-0 in the series if not for about four huge stops that he made in the opening 30 minutes of game two.
Give La Ronge credit for doing their home work. Yorkton has gotten very little as far as scoring chances are concerned in the slot area or anywhere in the middle of the ice for that matter. Will that change when the Terriers get on a more familiar ice surface on Tuesday and Wednesday?
The most dangerous player on either side thus far is Marc-Andre Carre. He can go on a 1-on-2 rush and still make something happen. In fact, you almost expect him to make something happen.
Yorkton's penalty killers deserve a ton of credit as La Ronge's powerplay has yet to do damage. Furthermore, last night's 3-0 result was the first time all year the Ice Wolves have been shutout.
Is it good news or bad news that Ciolfi, Clarke Breitkreuz, Jeremy Boyer, Justin Buzzeo, and Blaine Tendler haven't played well, but the Terriers are in a 1-1 series?
Is it good news or bad news that as well as Carre and Travis Eggum have played and as effective as support players Rhyse Dieno, Nolan Souchotte, and Skyler Hladun appear to be that the series is only 1-1.
La Ronge is carrying an extra 20-year-old and that has caused a pretty good player in Nick Keller to watch the first two games from the seats. Now that the Ice Wolves have lost a game, does Keller get back in? Who would sit? It certainly won't be Adam Bartko, Eggum, Lindensmith, Logan Herauf, Fossum, Monfore, or the captain Souchotte. That leaves Taylor Pillar, who has also looked strong. I suppose he could also rest Phil Belanger and insert Alex Vandenameele. Tough decision for Beatty as none of the nine have given him a reason to make a change.
Yorkton defenseman Devon McMullen is only 17 and is listed at 5'8" and 155 Ibs. He plays like he's 20 and 6'4" 210Ibs.
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