Terriers (23-17-1-7) @ Mils (29-15-3)

As a Play-by-Play guy I used to work with would sometimes say at the drop of the puck, "Let's get it on, 'cause these two teams don't get along!"

The Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires will decide their season series this weekend as they meet for the final two times of the regular season in a Friday/Saturday home and home.

I love broadcasting for all four Jr 'A' teams we cover, but absolutely nothing beats a Yorkton/Melville broadcast for me. It's always a Friday night, and whether it's at the Stadium in Melville or at FAA in Yorkton, the crowds are always bigger, and louder, and the visiting team always has their own contingent of rowdies in the stands. I love it. Not to mention the fact I don't have to travel very far and can be home or cracking a beer by 10:30. If the home team wins chances are that beer will be cracked in Jamie Fiesel or Ed Zawatsky's office by about 10:00. If the road team wins... I keep my distance a little and maybe go interview someone from that side.

Tonight, it's in Melville, with the two teams back in Yorkton tomorrow (SAT) night.

Now, for some numbers.

- The Millionaires could still be without four of their top guys for the weekend home and home. Kale Dolinski and Brayden Metz are expected to miss both games, as is defenseman Jeremie Houde. Fellow D-man Jordan Reeve MAY get into the lineup tonight, and/or tomorrow.

- The previous 6 matches have all been close... but they've all been decided in regulation. 4-3 M, 6-4 M (empty-netter), 3-1 Y, 2-1 Y, 4-1 M, 4-3 Y.

- Add 'em up, Melville's out-scored Yorkton 19-17 in 6 meetings (3.17-2.83). That includes the one Mils' empty-netter.

- Defenseman Greg Coburn leads the Terriers in scoring against Melville (and overall). Against the Mils, Coburn has 3-goals and 4-assists for 7-points in 6 games played. Melville rookie Logan Herauf also has 7-points (2-5) to lead the Mils vs the Terriers. Kale Dolinski and Levi Lind have 4 goals each.

- Terrier goalie Devin Peters has a 2.81 GAA and a .921% against Melville.

- Yorkton defenseman Kirk Byczynski has a 3-game point streak heading into tonight's action (1-4-5). Melville's Daniel Hope has 3-goals and 2-assists in his last 2 games.

- The Millionaires are 1-and-5 in 6 games since January 10th. They've been outscored 32-12 in those 6 games. The Mils were 19-3-2 as of November 19th, and since then are 10-12-1. First games after Nov/19? A home and home vs Yorkton, which the Terriers swept 3-1, 2-1. One could call that the "turning point."

- Yorkton's record's not much prettier since the deadline. They're 1-3-1-2 since the 10th, scoring 16 goals in those 7 games. Bryan Hull has 4 of them, and has 7 points in those 7 games.

- As far as the race goes... first place is no longer in Melville's control. They're 8 points back of Weyburn with 3 games in hand. They also lead Kindersley by 5 points. The Klippers have one game in hand.

- The Terriers are fourth place, and sit 2 back of Kindersley, 7 behind Melville, and 1 up on Estevan. Yorkton's got 2 games in hand on the Bruins, but have played one more game than Melville, and 2 more than Kindersley.

- If Yorkton sweeps the home and home, they'll be 3 points back of Melville, and at least tied with Kindersley for third. The Klippers are off tonight and host Nipawin tomorrow (NIP). Should the Mils sweep or even split, a spot in the top 3 will be close to locked up... althought their February schedule has them playing Humboldt twice, Estevan twice, and Kindersley once, as Melfort on the road and Battleford at home.

Can't wait for this one... or should I say, these two.

- How big is the rivalry now, compared to what it was? I'd say it's still there... but as strong? I bumped into a Terrier alumnus down town yesterday afternoon and we were talking hockey. And this guy hasn't played since '80's. And I asked, "You going to the game tomorrow?" To which he said, "No, that ****in' rink still gets the best of me, even since the good ol' days... it just irks me. I'll listen to you on the radio then go to Saturday's game."

7:20 Pre Game Show, 7:30 Play by Play tonight... I believe Brad Haberman is coming along to do colour. Please bring your radio to the rink so I can continue to prove my point that having Yorkton/Melville games on the air does not keep all the fans at home. Trust me, I just looked at the attendance of all 6 previous games and I know which ones were and were not on the radio. I know I just told you about one guy who's listening at home tonight, but he wasn't goin' anyway!

See you/talk to you tonight!

Here's what else is goin' on:

SJHL (4)
Yorkton Terriers @ Melville Millionaires 7:20/7:30 GX94
Estevan Bruins @ Weyburn Red Wings 7:30
Nipawin Hawks @ Battlefords North Stars 7:30
Humboldt Broncos @ Flin Flon Bombers 7:30

MJHL (2)
Selkirk Steelers @ OCN Blizzard 7:30
Winnipeg Saints @ Beausejour Blades 7:30

Prairie Junior Hockey League (4)
Cypress Cyclones @ Fort Knox 8:00
Regina Capitals @ Assiniboia Southern Rebels 7:30
Tri-Town Thunder @ Saskatoon Royals 7:30
Prince Albert Ice Hawks @ Saskatoon Quakers 7:45

Senior 'A' Hockey Provincials
Theodore Buffaloes @ Balgonie Bisons 8:00
(Balgonie leads the Best-of-3 series 1-0)
Wynyard Monarchs @ Bruno T-Birds 8:00
(Best-of-3 series is tied 1-1)

Senior 'C' Provincials
Lanigan Pirates @ Kelvington Wheat Kings 8:30
(Game one of a two-game total-goal series)

Fishing Lake Hockey League
Wadena Wildcats @ Foam Lake Flyers PPD due to water main break

Triangle Hockey League (1)
Langenburg Warriors @ Moosomin Rangers 8:00
Esterhazy Flyers @ Bredenbury Cougars PPD to Tuesday

Long Lake Hockey League
Nokomis Chiefs @ Leroy Braves 8:00

Highway Hockey League (2)
Cupar Canucks @ Avonlea Arrows 8:00
Southey Marlins @ Semans Wheat Kings 8:00

North Central Hockey League (1)
Reston Rockets @ Shoal Lake Eagles 8:30

Midget 'B' Provincials
Assiniboia Stingers @ Whitewood/Grenfell Elks 8:00 in Grenfell
(Game one of a two-game total-goal series)

South Sask Midget "AA" Hockey League
Melville Millionaires @ Caronport 7:30

Provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts
in Swift Current

2:00 - 'C' Event Games
Jennifer Duczek (Yorkton) vs Cathy Trowell (Regina)
Sherilee Orsted (Estevan) vs Chantelle Eberle (Regina)
Tracey Streifel (Saskatoon) vs Jolene McIvor (Regina)

7:00 - 'B' Event Games
Amber Holland (Kronau) vs Sherry Anderson (Saskatoon)
Michelle Englot (Regina) vs Rene Miettenen (Humboldt)