The Yorkton Kinsmen Terriers of the SSMHL Midget Division struggled through January, posting a 1-4-3 record through eight games in the first month of 2015.
But it appears as if they have put their struggles behind them, dominating the visiting Notre Dame Argos 4-0 on Thursday, February 5 at the Farrell Agencies Arena.
After a scoreless first period it was Brodie Ottenbreit that opened the scoring for the Kinsmen Terriers with 8:08 remaining in the second, beating Argos netminder Scott Kasaboski for his third goal of the season.
Jarvis Gelowitz made it 2-0 late in the frame with his 18th goal of the campaign.
Captain Kholton Shewchuk found the back of the Notre Dame net early in the third period with his 13th goal of the season before Josh Rohatynsky, who had a prior goal waved off due to a slashing penalty, proved he would not be denied again, rubbing salt in the Argo wounds with his eighth of the season to round out the scoring.
Kinsmen Terrier goaltender Carter Park picked up his second consecutive shutout and is really rounding into form ahead of the playoffs. 鈥淎nother great game for him,鈥� mentioned Kinsmen Terrier head coach Noel Budz. 鈥淗e played really hard, saw the puck well all night and I thought our defencemen played really well in front of him.
鈥淗e鈥檚 playing his best hockey right now when we need him to.鈥�
Budz then mentioned that the win was big for his team, especially with how tight the league is. 鈥淚t was a huge win, we really needed it and to get back above .500 is big,鈥� offered Budz, continuing, 鈥淲e have five games remaining but we鈥檝e got a great group of guys and the motto here, lately at least, is basically 鈥榣et鈥檚 keep on enjoying each other鈥�.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be tough. We鈥檝e got five good teams that we have to play at the end of the year and then we鈥檒l have to see where they marbles all end at the end of the night.鈥�
The win moves the Kinsmen Terriers back above .500 in the very tight SSMHL Midget Division, two points ahead of eighth place Regina Rangers (11-11-10, 32 pts) and tied with the streaking Moose Jaw Warriors (15-14-4) for sixth and seventh.
Both the Terriers and Warriors sit just three points back of a pair of Notre Dame teams as the Argos (16-11-5) and Bantam Hounds (16-13-5) are tied for fourth and fifth with 37 points apiece.
The Regina Capitals top the league with a sparkling 24-3-7 record for 55 points, 10 more than second place Prairie Storm (20-10-5, 45 pts).
The Swift Current K-Motel Hurricanes sit two points back of the Prairie Storm in third place with a season record of 19-9-5.
Ninth through to eleventh is also tight as the Notre Dame Hounds (13-13-5, 31 pts), Melville Millionaires (13-17-4, 30 pts) and Estevan Apex Bruins (13-13-3, 29 pts) are all separated by just two points.
The Regina Vics sit in 12th with a 10-18-5 record and 25 points while the Weyburn Lighstream Wings (5-23-5, 15 pts) and Lumsden/Bethune Lions (3-24-5, 11 pts) are both officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Up next
The next action for the Yorkton Kinsmen Terriers (14-13-6) will be tomorrow when they welcome the rival Melville Millionaires (13-17-4) to the Farrell Agencies Arena. Game time is set for 8:00p.m.
The Kinsmen Terriers will then host the Estevan Apex Bruins (13-13-3) on Saturday at 8:00p.m. before welcoming the Moose Jaw Warriors (15-14-4) to town on Sunday for a pivotal 4:00p.m. game.
Both of the weekend games will take place at the Kinsmen Arena.
