The Bruins went into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League contest comfortably in first place in the Viterra Division, well ahead of second place Yorkton. The Bruins had also won all 14 meetings against Viterra Division opponents this season, including four with Yorkton.
But on this night at the Westland Insurance Arena the Terriers were the better team.
Nolan Wutzke, with his first of the season, and former Bruin Erik Boers scored first period goals to give the home side a 2-0 lead through 20-minutes of play.
Erik Houk cut the lead in half with a powerplay goal for the Bruins at 11:07 of the second period, but 14-seconds later Maddux Nollski scored for Yorkton to re-establish a two goal lead.
In the third Nollski would add two more to complete a natural hat trick, his third period markers sandwiching a Bruin goal by Kade Runke to complete the 5-2 game.
Kael DePape was in net for Yorkton, facing 33 shots for the win, while Boston Bilous took the loss in the Bruin net facing 29.
“That was huge especially against the national championship hosts (Bruins),” said Terrier head coach Mat Hehr. “It was a great home game.”
The Terriers had an especially good third holding the lead which Hehr noted was big.
“That was the message – we’ve been in this position a few times ... a misstep and letting a few leads get away.”
It helped DePape was again stellar.
“He was lights out,” said Hehr. “It was probably the most dangerous forward group in the league and he shut them down ...
“If he can see it he stops it.”
The Terriers have now earned points in four straight games and in eight-of-10, so what has been the key?
“I think we’ve found our offence,” said Hehr, adding earlier in the year they didn’t always get the goal they really needed. “We had our chances we just weren’t putting the puck in the net.”
The Bruins are in action again Saturday in Weyburn, before taking their Christmas break and then hosting the Red Wings Dec. 30.
Yorkton’s next action is a New Year’s Eve encounter with Melville at the Westland Insurance Arena, with the teams meeting again New Year’s Day in Melville.
