The Yorkton Terriers had struggled through a short, three-game losing streak in which they had allowed 14 goals, but last Tuesday they put a definitive end to the streak.
Backed by a shut-out performance by goaltender Kale Thomson, his fourth in six starts, the Terriers blitzed the visiting Notre Dame Hounds 6-0 in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action Dec. 17.
Recent acquisition Brett Boehm scored what proved to be the game-winner and only goal of the opening frame 10:58 into the first.
Tyson Enzie, Dylan Johnson and Devon McMullen added second period markers to extend the home ice lead to 4-0.
In the third Boehm and McMullen each added their second of the night to salt away the 6-0 win.
Thomson faced 25 shots on the night for Yorkton, while Brett Soles faced 31-shots in the Notre Dame nets in the loss.
Thomson said it was good to get back on track defensively, noting "we're not a team that gives up a lot of goals." He added over the course of a season a team "goes through ups and downs" and he termed the losses "a couple of rough games."
Thomson said the Terriers were focused in winning the game.
"We knew what we had to do going into the Christmas break We had a job to do before going home (for the break)," he said.
On a personal level it was last season at this time Thomson faltered a bit opening the door for Dawson MacAuley to take over the number one goaltender spot. He said that was on his mind "a little bit," after the two four-goal losses.
"But I've had a pretty good year this season," he said. "I know what I'm capable of." He said over a season a couple of poorer starts will happen, but he was happy to be back on track in the win too.
As a goaltender "getting a shut out is a good confidence builder for yourself and your team," he said.
Terrier head coach Trent Cassan said the win was timely.
"It was a good way to end a losing streak," he said, of a game where the Terriers dominated both in terms of goals and on defence.
As for Thomson's shut-out, Cassan said they needed a big game from their netminder.
"We needed him to be solid and have a bounce back effort," said the Terrier coach, adding it was something Thomson responded to naturally. "We didn't have to talk to him about it He knew when to rise to the occasion."
The Terriers won big in spite of having several players in street clothes with injuries.
"We're not a team that just has one good line," offered Thomson. "We've got a lot of depth. The guys stepped up and played pretty good tonight."
Cassan said he liked the way the short-handed Terriers dug down and came up with a big effort.
"It shows guys have been in that situation before, and know how to get out of it," he said.
Among the Terriers to respond Tuesday were AAA Midget call-ups Carson Cayer and Corwin Stevely.
"They didn't show any hesitation. They got involved," offered Cassan. "They brought a lot of energy."
The win lifted the Terrier record to 20-7-2-3 for 45 points, leaving them, as of Friday morning, tops in the league's Viterra Division.
Melville sits second with 44 points, followed by Estevan with 38 and Weyburn at 28.
Up next
The Terriers next action will be after the league's Christmas break.
Monday, Dec. 30, the Terriers will be in Melville for action, with the Millionaires back at the Farrell Agencies Arena Jan. 1 for a 2:00 p.m. start time.
