A Troy Smukowich hat-trick and yet another stellar goaltending performance by Devin Peters lifted the Yorkton Terriers to a 6-1 win over the Weyburn Red Wings in Game Five, and a 4-1 series victory in the Conference Semi.Smukowich scored both of Yorkton's two first period goals, one of which was on the powerplay, and the Terriers led 2-0 after one period.
Exactly 3:00 into the second, Cody Zubko whipped a wrist shot over the blocker of A.J. Whiffen from just inside the blueline, which lifted Whiffen, after he allowed 3 goals on 15 shots. Tanner Erickson came in the rest of the way, and quickly made an outstanding save, going to post to post to rob Torey Stott with his pad. Rylan McDonell added his 5th of the playoffs shortly after on another powerplay, and it was 4-0 through two.
They would add two more in the third to put things away. Clarke Byczynski hammered a slapshot high blocker side on Erickson on another powerplay (Terriers went 3/8 on the PP), before Smukowich completed the hat trick. Troy was robbed by Erickson just minutes later when he looked like he had an easy 4th of the night, and really, could have had 5 or 6! Smukowich put up 6g-1a-7p in the 5 game series, and continues to lead the SJHL playoffs in goals and points, with 9g-4a-13p in 9 games.
Also want to give some special recognition to the defense pairing of Byczynski (1g-2a) and Drew McDermott (2a). They were a huge offensive threat together tonight, so much so that I split my third star of the game between them!
On the 32nd and final shot of the game, Weyburn's Drew George beat Devin Peters (31/32) on a late powerplay to make the final Terriers 6, Red Wings 1.
The fifth place Yorkton Terriers will face the third place Kindersley Klippers in the Sherwood Final. Whooda thunk it??? The series will most likely go Friday/Saturday in Eston, then maybe Tuesday/Wednesday in Yorkton, but those dates have yet to be confirmed.
I really do feel for the Wings, especially a guy like A.J. Whiffen. Rookie of the Year two years ago, Goalie of the Year this year, and ended up watching most of his final Jr 'A' game from the bench. Rhett Bly... what a career this young man had, and Merrimack College will get a good player in their program next year with him. I've never met Bly, but he just seems like a really nice kid, works hard, and isn't one of those 'me guys', you sometimes come across in offensive forwards. Andrew Perrault... not sure I've seen a more improved player in my 3 years here. His game has taken off the last year and a half, and he became likely a Top-5 defenseman in this league.
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(Devin Peters on our post-game show... what a series for the Terrier Tender! 4-1, 1.81 GAA, .939%... since a 5-4 OT loss in Game 1 of the Survivor Series in Melville, the Terriers have gone 8 games without giving up more than 3 goals in a game, allowing one goal three times, two goals three times, and three goals twice.)
Post Game Audio with Peters/Trent Cassan
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