Friday

A little late with this one, I know. I came halfway back last night and crashed in my parents' basement in Simpson, SK! Got back to Yorkton around 11:00 this morning.

While two points would have been better than one, one's better than none, and the Melville Millionaires actually played a heck of a game, considering the amount of bodies they had out of the lineup, and the juggling Neil Lamberty had to do on the bench, especially on defense. Austin Krahenbil, Cody Hanson and Tyler Howe were all serving the first games of their suspensions, while defensemen Jordan Reeve and Craig Karius both went down with injuries. So by the end of the game, the Mils were running 3 lines and 5 defenseman, and 2 of the D-men are natural forwards (Michael Jordan, Dan Lind).

So, the Mils went on to lose 5-4 in OT. I used the term "greasy road point" on the air last night, and that's kind of what it was with the make-shift lineup they went with. The started the game with 6 rookie forwards, and everyone chipped in. Tyson Melnychuk notched his first of the year, added one assist, Mike Rogoschewsky, Dane Bonish and Craig Karius also scored (3 of the 4 scorers were Melville products). Ryin Allison added an assist, while youngsters like Rob Lazo, Landon Minto and Jordy Johnson were all creating chances.

Aaron Decorby and Logan Herauf both had assists, extending their point streaks to 5 games to start the season.

For the Klippers, Jordan Braid had three assists, while Travis Eggum and Braeden Adamyk scored twice each. Ryan Benn scored the OT winner at 2:01, shortly after Melville's Justin Hollinger was stopped on a penalty shot. I honestly thought the Klippers might struggle to score this season, and that the depth would drop off after Braid, but their top 6 looked very good last night. They went with Benn-Braid-Eggum, followed by Dommett-Calkins-Adamyk last night, and both lines were buzzing.

The Mils are in Battleford to face a dangerous North Stars team tonight, before wrapping up the trip tomorrow (SAT) in Kindersley for another game vs the Klippers. Honestly, if the Mils split these last two and come home with 3 of a possible 6 points, considering who's out of the lineup, I'd say that's a successful road trip.

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The Yorkton Terriers are also north-bound this weekend, but a little further north with games in La Ronge tonight (FRI) and tomorrow. The Terriers are perfect at home (3-0) and winless on the road (0-3) so far. They've also been out-scored 15-4 in their 3 away games, so we'll see if their road fortunes can change this weekend against the 4-and-2 (first place) Ice Wolves.

Here's Friday's full lineup of local sports.

Cooperators Roughrider Football on GX94
Saskatchewan Roughriders @ B.C. Lions 7:30 / 8:30

Regina Inter-Collegiate Football League
Yorkton Regional Raider Gridders @ Notre Dame Hounds 5:15 in Regina

East Central 6-Man Football Conference (3)
Hudson Bay Riders @ Kelliher Cobras 4:00
Preeceville Panthers @ North Valley Eagles 4:00 in Lemberg
Kelvington Golden Hawks @ Porcupine Plain Bears 4:00

East Central 9-Man Football Conference (2)
Swan Valley Tigers @ Fort Qu'Appelle Marauders 4:00
Melville Cobras @ Lumsden Devils 4:00

North East 9-Man Football Conference (3)
Melfort Comets @ Foam Lake Panthers 4:00
Nipawin Bears @ Wynyard Golden Bears 4:00
Humboldt Mohawks @ Tisdale Tornadoes 4:00

CIS Football (1)
Saskatchewan Huskies @ Simon Fraser Clan 8:00

SJHL (3)
Yorkton Terriers @ La Ronge Ice Wolves 7:30
Melville Millionaires @ Battlefords North Stars 7:30
Humboldt Broncos @ Melfort Mustangs 7:30

MJHL (4)
Wayway Wolverines @ Selkirk Steelers 7:30
Winnipeg Saints @ OCN Blizzard 7:00
Winnipeg South Blues @ Dauphin Kings 7:30
Portage Terriers @ Winkler Flyers 7:30

**The next game for the Swan Valley Stampeders is Saturday when they host the Neepawa Natives. Game time is 7:30 at the Centennial Arena.

Prairie Junior Hockey League (3)
Ochapowace Thunder @ Tri-Town Thunder 7:30
Delisle Chiefs @ Regina Capitals 7:30
West Central Rage @ Saskatoon Westleys 7:45

**The first game of the season for Fort Knox is tomorrow (SAT) when they visit the Pilot Butte Storm.

WHL (10)
Red Deer Rebels @ Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30 (MB)
Moose Jaw Warriors @ Edmonton Oil Kings 7:00
Calgary Hitmen @ Kootenay Ice 7:00
Saskatoon Blades @ Prince Albert Raiders 7:00
Swift Current Broncos @ Regina Pats 7:00
Vancouver Giants @ Kamloops Blazers 8:00
Chilliwack Bruins @ Kelowna Rockets 8:00
Lethbridge Hurricanes @ Prince George Cougars 8:00
Portland Winter Hawks @ Spokane Chiefs 8:00
Tri-City Americans @ Seattle Thunderbirds 8:35