The Yorkton Terriers are off to a solid start at the inaugural Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup winning their first two games.
Terrier head coach Trent Cassan told Yorkton This Week Monday it was a hectic start for the Terriers.
"Basically since Friday at 5 a.m., we've been on the go," he said, noting the team was up at 5 a.m. in order to leave the city at 6.
"By the time we got back to the hotel and settled in it was 11."
Adding to the hectic day was the fact the Terrier hockey gear and the player's suits were delayed, not arriving until midnight Friday.
So the Terriers wore track suits in the opening ceremonies, while other teams were in street suits, said Cassan.
But after a skate Saturday morning, the Terriers were ready for action.
The Terriers started play in the tournament Saturday evening facing the host Nanaimo Clippers.
"There was a good crowd. It's a nice building," said Cassan.
Jeremy Johnson started the scoring 8:49 into the contest with a powerplay effort.
It took only 3:06 before Greg Fraser of the Clippers knotted the score at 1-1.
A minute-four after the evening goal Terrier Tayler Thompson struck to give Yorkton its second lead of the fame.
But a powerplay goal by Clipper Matthew Grant at 15:40 would send the teams to the dressing rooms after 20-minutes tied 2-2.
Nanaimo would score the only goal of the second frame coming from the stick of Colton Dahlen 2:15 into the period.
But the Terriers would control the third period, with Johnson back for his second of the game at 13:11 to tie the game 3-3.
Then team Captain Devon McMullen would strike at 16:04 with what would prove the game-winner.
Dawson MacAuley was in the Terrier nets facing 42-shots in the win.
Cassan said the Terrier start was a good one.
"I thought we had a good start," he said, but then added the team hit a lull. "In the second period we struggled a bit. They kind of took it to us."
But the third saw the pendulum swing back in Yorkton's favour.
"The guys really dug in in the third," said Cassan.
Cassan said the Clippers are a very solid team, being "a lot better team than they showed in the playoffs."
As for the win Cassan said, "Certainly it was good to get the first win in the first game."
The Terriers were back in action only 14-hours later playing the afternoon game Sunday versus the Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion Steinbach Pistons.
"That was a pretty quick turn around," said Cassan, adding the Terriers were the only team to face such scheduling, although a playoff team will be in the same situation on the weekend.
Johnson was back to score the first goal of this game too, striking at 8:35 of the first.
Chase Norrish made it 2-0 Yorkton with a goal at 12:42, before Hayden Goderis responded for the Pistons at 13:11.
"Sunday I thought we had a real good first period again," said Cassan.
Steinbach tied the game 4:31 into the second period on a goal by Trent Genyk.
Tyler Giebel made it 3-2 Yorkton with an unassisted goal at 18:03 of the second.
The Giebel goal would prove the game-winner as the teams played scoreless the rest of the way.
Cassan said Steinbach seemed to find its bearings in the second period and the frame "was pretty even" as a result.
But in the third Cassan said the Terriers held to what they have done all season, and maintained the one-goal lead.
MacAuley again backstopped the win facing 33-shots in the Terrier nets.
Cassan said after the rush of the weekend, it was good the team had Monday to sort of relax.
That said the Terrier coach said the players want to stay on target in the tournament.
"They've been very focused. They're out here to play hockey," he said.
The two wins will likely be enough for a playoff spot, but Cassan is not taking that for granted.
"We have set ourselves up so it looks like we could get one of the playoff spots," he said, but added they want to keep winning to finish the round robin as high up the standings as possible.
The Terriers were scheduled to play the Alberta Junior Hockey League champion Brooks Bandits Tuesday afternoon, but results were not available at press time.
Thursday afternoon Yorkton plays Surrey champions of the British Columbia Hockey League.
The playoffs go on the weekend with the following schedule:
Saturday, May 4
2 p.m. 4th vs 3rd
7 p.m. Championship game 2nd vs 1st
Sunday, May 5
4 p.m. Championship loser vs 3rd/4th winner
