CANALTA CUP RETURNS TO YORKTON

Press Release

The Yorkton Terriers built a 3-0 lead through the first period, but the Humboldt Broncos came all the way back with two goals in the second frame, and another late in the third to even things up at three in Game 6 of the Canalta Cup final.

It looked like overtime was on the bill for a second straight night, before Terrier captain Devon McMullen's wrist shot found its way in with 28 seconds left in regulation.  McMullen said after the game that his shot bounced in off forward Jeremy Johnson, who was also the triple overtime hero one night earlier in Humboldt.

The Terriers also had to kill a penalty in the final 16 seconds, but hung on to preserve the 4-3 win, capturing their first title since 2005-2006.  This is also the first time a team from the South has captured the SJHL crown, since that very season.

McMullen described the late penalty kill.

"It was crazy, they hit the post and everything, I just tried to lay my body out and block anything I could."

Yorkton's goals all came from 20-year-olds playing in their final games at Farrell Agencies Arena.  Patrick Martens, Nathan Murray and Austin Bourhis did the scoring in the first period.  Neil Landry and Matt Audette got the Broncos close in the second, before Adam Antkowiak tied it up with 4:13 left in regulation.

The SJHL Playoffs MVP was shared between Terrier goalie Dawson MacAuley and Defenseman Brady Norrish.  MacAuley faced a total of 82 shots in Games 5 and 6 but led his team to victories in both.

"It was a battle, playoffs are a grind.  Triple overtime (in Game 6) and back to back nights, it's a grind, but having a group of guys like this makes it all worth it and makes this win that much more special."

The Terriers advance to the Western Canada Cup in Nanaimo, BC.  The 5-team tournament also featuring the MJHL, AJHL, and BCHL Champs, and host Nanaimo Clippers, begins Saturday, April 27th.  The Terriers will meet the host Clippers that night, the MJHL champions (Dauphin or Steinbach) the following afternoon, the AJHL champs (Brooks or Spruce Grove) the afternoon of Tue/Apr/30, and the BC reps (Surrey or Penticton) the afternoon of Thu/May/2 to conclude their round robin.

The top two finishers advance to the RBC Cup in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)