The Yorkton Terriers had a bounce back weekend after a blown lead earlier in the week.
The Terriers looked good for two periods last Tuesday as they hosted the La Ronge Ice Wolves in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action.
Kailum Gervais scored on the powerplay 55-seconds into the game to give the Terriers a 1-0 lead early o.
Brett Boehm and Tyler Giebel made it 3-0 by the mid way point of the frame.
Tyson Valette finally scored for the Wolves at 15:04 of the frame to send the teams to the dressing room in a 3-1 game.
The second period was a scoreless affair.
Then in the third Daulton Siwak scored 18-seconds in on the powerplay for the Ice Wolves, followed by Sebastien Beauregard scoring at 1:13 and Jared Iron at 2:21 to give La Ronge a 4-3 lead.
Rhett Kehoe made it 5-3, before Giebel responded with his second of the night for the Terriers.
But Beauregard would add his second for the Wolves late to complete a 6-4 La Ronge win.
Kale Thomson took the loss in the Terrier net facing 28-shots, while Tyler Fuhr had the win for the Wolves.
Friday the Terriers headed to Humboldt to face the Broncos.
Giebel scored for the Terriers at 14:38 of the first, a goal which was the only shot among 28 to elude Humboldt goaltender Ryland Pashovitz.
But Thomson would be one goal sharper for the Terriers stopping all 38-shots the Broncos threw his way, to secure a 1-0 victory.
"Kale was exceptional on Friday and we knew he would be," offered Terrier head coach Trent Cassan. He said the team has every confidence in Thomson, noting he's had "30-some strong games," and every netminder will have a couple of so-so efforts over the course of a season. "The sample size is there to know he's going to be consistent.
"He was really poised and calm out there. He made some really big saves and didn't allow many second chances."
Offensively the Terriers didn't shoot out the lights in Humboldt, but Cassan noted the Broncos have great goaltending, and their games are often low-scoring. "They are very stingy," he said.
"Usually one goal on the road isn't enough to win," he admitted, but added with Thomson sharp it was that night.
That the goal came from Giebel is also a positive since the veteran will be looked to for offence down the stretch.
Cassan said his forward missed nearly two-months with an injury and just got back into action after Christmas.
"It takes a little bit of time," said the Terrier coach. "He's (Giebel) been steadily getting more into a rhythm."
Saturday the Terriers were to host Kindersley, but a scheduling issue pushed the game to neutral ice in Esterhazy.
The first period was a scoreless affair.
Tayler Thompson gave Yorkton a 1-0 lead with the only goal of the second period, a powerplay marker.
Josh Ellis made it 2-0 with a powerplay goal 1:24 into the third period.
Devin Case finally put one by Thomson 15:03 into the third with the Klippers holding a man advantage, but Brady Norrish would add an empty netter to secure a 3-1 Terrier win.
Thomson faced 34-shots in the win for Yorkton, while Evan Weninger faced 44 in the loss.
Cassan said the Terriers took playing in Esterhazy well.
"Actually the guys were pretty excited to play there," he said. "I thought the guys responded well Our guys didn't approach it any differently."
The Terrier boss added, "it was a good atmosphere."
Again Thomson was solid, said Cassan, adding the lone goal he let through "was on about the third chance on the penalty kill and one of our defencemen's stick had been broken."
Offensively, Cassan liked that the Terrier powerplay clicked for two, adding the shorter ice in Esterhazy probably helped since the zone in from the blueline was smaller, making shots from anywhere a good idea.
The last four games have really showed the ups and downs of Junior hockey, said Cassan, adding teams are rarely as bad as their worst games, nor as good as their best. He said as a team you want to get to a point "of staying on an even keel."
Cassan said the weekend wins were a positive step after two off games.
"Certainly it was a good response and bounce back," he said. " It was a good step in the right direction Our older guys and leaders led by example."
That example meant blocking shots and being committed to the defensive side of the game, said Cassan.
The week's work leaves the Terriers with a 26-11-2-4 record and 58 points second best in the SJHL's Viterra Division, four back of Melville with 62.
Estevan sits third with 50-points, with Weyburn fourth at 39.
Up next
The Terriers were scheduled to host Flin Flon last night (Tuesday), but results were not available at press time.
Friday Humboldt will visit the Farrell Agencies Arena.
Saturday Yorkton will visit the Notre Dame Hounds.
