MILS AWARD WINNERS

MVP- McNulty
Dman- Pond/Christensen
Forward- McNulty/Mireau
Rookie- Kilback
Leading Scorer- McNulty
Gentlemanly- Froese/Desjarlais
Hustle- Kilback/Bird
Improved- McNulty/Lowe-Wylde
Scholastic- Kilback
3 Star- McNulty
Unsung- Pond
Coach's Award (Spirit)- Bird
Playoffs- Voth/McNulty/Mospanchuk
Popular- Voth

So... Now What?

That's the question as soon as I'm done broadcasting hockey every spring.

I think I forget every year just how much everything slows down once it's all done, and this year, it all came to a screeching halt.

I'm on the go anywhere between Kindersley and Winnipeg for 7 months, and now I won't have to look at a station vehicle or bus again for a while. I also don't want to look at another fast food burger, or pasta, or pizza, or touch pop for a looooong, long time!

It's tough when it ends. Somehow this season felt a little easier, maybe because it wasn't the league final. But it still sucks. When Melville walked into Weyburn and won Game One 7-1, things looked promising that I'd have a 4th straight SJHL Final on the air. Credit the Wings, they buckled down and really tightened up the rest of the series.

My favourite comeback at the office when people say, "What are you gonna do with all your spare time now?" is "I'm gonna work as hard as you work all year!"

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Melville's banquet is tomorrow (SAT) night at the Horizon Credit Union Centre Convention Centre, or, the HCUCCC. Cocktails at 6:00, Supper at 7:00. $25 for adults, $10 for kids under the age of 12.

I was stressing at first, because I didn't think I had a lot of material. Especially considering I went on ONE overnighter with the Mils, and didn't go on the bus once during playoffs. Usually I just tell stories from the road, and they're usually hilarious. Just ask the Terriers and John Odgers. But, I think I've come up with a few good nuggets. My goal is always to make them laugh at the start, and after the meal, and sprinkle in other things throughout as time allows.

I could do Play-by-Play for a listening audience of a million and not be the least bit nervous. Excited, pumped, but not nervous. Public speaking... whole different animal. As much as I enjoy it once it starts, and greatly appreciate being asked... I usually dread it until the night starts, and then it's all good! That's why making people laugh early helps! No crickets tomorrow I hope.

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Terrier goaltender Dawson MacAuley is up with the Medicine Hat Tigers for playoffs. They have two healthy goalies ahead of him, but Dawson practices and travels with the team. He said watching Tigers' F Emerson Etem rack up 12 points in a four game sweep of the Saskatoon Blades was pretty special.

"He creates something out of nothing all the time. I've never seen anyone dominate and take a game over like he can. He can literally put the team on his back and lead them to victories."

Unless the Regina Pats rattle off three straight wins, Medicine Hat will face Moose Jaw in Round 2, and that would mean Brandon heads back to Alberta to face the first place Edmonton Oil Kings. If the Pats come back, it would be Edmonton/Regina, Moose Jaw/Brandon.

Also, if Moose Jaw wins tonight, it would mean 7 of the 8 first round WHL series' ended in 5 games or less. 5 of them finished in sweeps.

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It's an exciting time right now for former Wayway Wolverine Sean Collins.

Collins just wrapped up a four year division one college career with the Cornell Big Red, and has now signed a 2-year entry level pro deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who drafed him in the 7th round of the 2008 NHL Draft.

He's already reported to the Blue Jackets' AHL Affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, and is expected to make his pro debut tonight in Bridgeport. They play three game in three nights this weekend, and Sean says he'll have time for an interview Monday!

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That makes it three interviews Monday I'm really looking forward to. Along with Collins, I'll be chatting with former Yorkton Terrier teammates, who are going head to head in the NCAA Frozen Four Semi-Finals on Friday.

Greg Coburn and Michael Trebish were teammates for two seasons, including my first year here in 2007-2008.

Coburn plays for Union College, while Trebish is in his final year with the Ferris State Bulldogs. Justin Buzzeo, another former Terrier, is in his Freshman year at Ferris.

Union and Ferris State meet in one semi-final in Tampa Bay, while Boston College and Minnesota play in the other.

Former Wolverine Signs Pro Deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Sean Collins to a standard two-year entry level contract, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today.

Collins, 23, just completed his senior season at Cornell University, where he registered 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points, 12 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating in 34 games, setting career highs in goals, assists and points. He led the club in face-off win percentage (55.6 percent) and ranked second in goals, points, power play goals (three) and shots (80).

A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Collins finished his career with the Big Red totaling 30-27-57 and 60 penalty minutes in 135 games from 2008-12. He was the Blue Jackets’ ninth pick, 187th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.

GAME 7: Mils 0 @ Wings 2 (Wings win series 4-3)

Mitch Kilgore made 31 saves for his second shutout of the series, and third in the SJHL playoffs, as the Melville Millionaires fell 2-0 in Game 7 of the SJHL Sherwood Conference Final, and saw their season end on Tuesday night.

Both of Weyburn's goals came on the powerplay. Miguel Pereira, who missed Game 6, had his usual jump, and scored at 13:07 of the first period, and Ryan Whitell found the net at 8:30 of period two, on a long 5-on-3.

The Mils managed only 14 shots in the first two periods, then put 17 pucks on goal in the third, but couldn't get one past Kilgore.

They had their chances on the powerplay, including three in the third period, but would finish the night 0/7, and 6/39 in the series. Since Game 1, their PP went just 2/31.

The Millionaires say good-bye to 9 graduating 20-year-olds. Goaltender Blake Voth, defensemen Tyson Newell, Bob Pond, Lee Christensen, and Brett Kipling, and forwards Michael Desjarlais, Jesse Mireau, Connor Bradshaw and Taylor Wasden.

Warmups in Weyburn

READY FOR GAME 7

(Millionaires at the end of their last full practice ahead of Tuesday's Game 7 in Weyburn)

This is what it's all about.
No one can slow us down.
We ain't gonna stop until the clock runs out.

Okay, I was just going to type that first line, then got Nickleback's "Bottom's Up" in my head. Not a bad hockey theme though is it?

Game 7 IS what it's all about. It's why players play, coaches coach, GM's manage, and broadcasters broadcast.

There's more hype, more nerves, and more on the line than any other game of the season. Soemone's going home, someone's going to the dance with the hottest babe on the floor, the Humboldt Broncos. And, whether they get bucked off in four by the RBC Hosts, or win a close one in seven, it'll be a fun ride!

And, while there is the aforementioned hype, etc, Millionaires' Coach Jamie Fiesel says they have to be careful not to make this game bigger than it is.

"It's the most exciting game in hockey. We sit in front of our TV's and watch the NHL Playoffs every year, and can't wait to see a Game 7, it's so exciting, and our guys are going to experience that. But what we're going to tell them, and I'm sure Dwight will tell his guys... it's still a hockey game. Once the emotions are gone and the puck drops, it's about execution, it's about playing team defense, using everyone, buying in, and the best team will win on Tuesday night. We're excited about the opportunity."

Fiesel has coached in just 2 Game 7's in the SJHL, and both were wins against the Yorkton Terriers, in 2007 and 2009. Both also eventually led to finals appearances against Humboldt. The 2007 game was the South Final, to go straight to the championship, while 2009 was the Conference Semi, which they followed up by beating first place Weyburn in six games.

Their 2012 script, number of games aside, has followed 2009 to a T. Beat Yorkton, now it's Weyburn in the South Final, with the Humboldt Broncos waiting patiently.

I'm not so sure ANY Mils' players have played in a Game 7. None of the three-year guys have, because the last two seasons they were ousted in the Best-of-Five Survivor Series. Melfort, I don't believe played in a Game 7 last year (beat Humboldt in 6 and lost to La Ronge in 5 I think), but may have the year before. I bring that up because FIVE former Mustangs are now suiting up for the Millionaires. Another possibility would be Lucas Froese, who went to an MJHL Final with the Winnipeg Saints in 2010. They were swept by Dauphin, but I'm not sure how many games they needed to win the Addison.

It's fair to assume that this is a first for most, or all players, on both sides. It's true for Millionaires' 18-year-old forward Michael Sagen.

"I've never played in a Game 7. I played in a Game 5 (of a Best-of-Five) in Midget 'AAA' (Saskatoon Contacts lost to Notre Dame Hounds), and a Game 5 last year against Estevan (Survivor Series), and lost them both, so hopefully the third time's a charm. We're excited but we're loose, it was a fun practice today. I think the town's just as excited as we are too."

That appears to be the case. 1844 fans (and I hear it was more) packed into the Horizon Credit Union Centre for Saturday night's Game 6, and not one but two full fan busses of Blue & White are heading to Crescent Point Place in Weyburn tonight.

If you're not one of the 100-ish on those busses, and others who I'm sure are driving, please tune us in! The Pre Game Show starts at 7:15, Play by Play at 7:30 on GX94, and www.gx94radio.com .

- The Millionaires won't have their full lineup for Game 7, and it'll be a little different than Game 6, but that's all I'll say for now... I'll tweet/announce the changes/line combos from the rink.

- As for Weyburn, it's a guessing game on my end and I won't know until I'm at the rink. Mitch Kilgore is one of the most important players in the series. Will the Wings' #1 goalie be in the stands again, hoping for his Junior career to be extended? Will he play? If he plays, is he 100%? How close to 100%? Dwight McMillan said on my Pre Game Show it was sickness, while it's widely speculated that he's hurt.

- Jack Kennelly and Miguel Pereira? The Wings are definitely easier to defend with either or both of those two out of the lineup. Bruce-Sanderson-Ross are great on their own, but when you add Pereira to the Hoffman line, and build the third line around Kennelly, suddenly the Wings are pretty deep. I think not having those two was a big reason why the 3-1 lead on Saturday appeared a lot more safe. There just wasn't as much scoring punch when the Big 3 weren't on the ice.

- Word is there will be no suspension for either Lucas Froese's hit from behind in Game 6, or Tyler Borstmayer's ensuing cross-check which he received 5 and a game for.

- Melville's powerplay went 4/8 in Game 1, then was dreadful in Games 2-5, going a combined 1/21. They scored on their first chance on Saturday, and I think John Stechyshyn's goal showed what was wrong with the powerplay in those four games. He shot the puck, while they were reluctant to shoot in those other games. It wasn't a hard shot, it just found its way through. Overall, they're 6/32, 18.8% in the series. Weyburn, who scored two huge powerplay goals at the end of a pivotal Game 3 to tie the game and eventually win in overtime, are 3/34, or 8.8%.

- 19 Millionaires have points in this series. That's what you call a balanced attack, especially when you consider 18 skaters dress for a game! Weyburn's not far off, with 17. Neither team has the top-heavy offense they had in the regular season with their top lines, and I think this blogger predicted that on this blog before the series! Defenseman Lee Christensen, and Michael Desjarlais lead the Mils with 7 points, and both have just one goal. Ian McNulty, after a hat trick in Game 6, has 6 goals, no assists in the series. Jesse Ross leads Weyburn with 5 points (2g-3a).

- If it's Voth vs Kilgore tonight, their numbers in the series are pretty much mirror images. Voth is 3-3, 2.27 GAA, .927%, Kilgore is 2-2, 2.22 GAA, .926%. Both have had one game they'd probably like back, and have been rock solid every other time out. Brett Teskey's numbers aren't as flashy, but he did enough to win Game 5, a game where Melville had maybe their worst showing of the series.

- My Game 7 stats are pathetic. Time to turn it around! Off the top of my head, I think I'm 1-4-1. The TIE, is the Melville/Yorkton 2009 one. I can't call that a win or a loss or I'd be dragged to Otthon and stoned to death! The win was Yorkton over Kindersley in the 2010 Sherwood Final, in overtime, in Eston, SK! Kevin Stringfellow. The first three losses were all in Manitoba. Dauphin (when I worked at CKDM) to OCN in 2006, Swan Valley to Portage and Wayway to Dauphin in 2008 (back to back nights, ouch!), and of course Yorkton in La Ronge in last year's final. Let's make my 7th Game 7 a good one!

GAME 6: Wings 1 @ Mils 5 (Series Tied 3-3!)

Game 7 it is.

First off, this wasn't a true '5-1' game. It was the dreaded '3-1' for until the dying minutes, when the Mils potted an empty netter, and then struck again with 17 seconds left.

I say dreaded 3-1, because that's been the lead that hasn't been safe at all in the series, until Game 6.

Ian McNulty scored a natural hat trick, at even strength, short-handed, and into an empty net, leading the Millionaires to the Game 6 win. McNulty now has 11 goals in 11 post season games.

McNulty's goals were bookended by John Stechyshyn's first career playoff goal, and Taylor Wasden's first as a Melville Millionaire.

Blake Voth made 33/34 saves, and some key ones late in the third when it was still 3-1. Specifically, a Jesse Ross shot on a 2-on-1 with Colton Sanderson with about 2 minutes to go.

Melville's top line was much better in Game 6, as Sean Aschim jumped up to play on that line. Lucas Froese was handed a game misconduct for a hit from behind in the second period so some line juggling happened the rest of the way, while Weyburn defenseman Tyler Borstmayer was given 5 and a game for cross checking in the same stoppage.

The Mils were without two 20-year-old defensemen, in Tyson Newell and Brett Kipling (injuries), while Jack Kennelly sat out for Weyburn, and Miguel Pereira, who I think has been their best forward in the series, was a late scratch. AND, Wings' #1 goalie Mitch Kilgore didn't dress.

Weyburn Coach Dwight McMillan said on our Pre Game Show that he's sick, which, I wouldn't be surprised is code for something else at this time of year, but who knows!

So, a lot of questions roster-wise, both ways, as we head into Game 7, which seems like forever away: Tuesday in Weyburn. The extra day will make it more likely that we see some or all of those names back, although Coach Jamie Fiesel said on our post game that there's no way he can take 16-year-old call-up Colby Williams out of the lineup after his performance.

Fiesel said on our Pre Game Show: "Colby was already coming to Melville today for our spring camp. We just had to call him this morning and say 'bring a tie!' "

Speaking of Game 7, I got a text tonight saying one fan bus is already full, and a SECOND bus is already half full! Contact Cecile Halyk or Howard Santfleben to get your $25 seat.

1844 fans witnessed Game 6, the biggest crowd the Horizon Credit Union Centre has seen so far. Way to go Mils fans!

7:15 Pre Game Show, Play-by-Play at 7:30 on Tuesday night.

GAME 5: Mils 4 @ Wings 5 (Wings lead series 3-2)

What a gut-wrencher.

Ian McNulty appeared to send a third straight game to overtime, when he tied Game 5 up at 4-4 with 52 seconds left in regulation, but Coltyn Sanderson changed that plan when he tipped home a point shot with 8.6 seconds on the clock.

Crazily enough, the Millionaires were just inches from tying it yet again, as they went straight ahead off the draw at centre ice, and Sean Aschim ripped a wrist shot that appeared labelled high-glove, but just grazed the shoulder of Wings' goalie Brett Teskey, with about 3 seconds still on the clock.

That was the first oddity of Game 5. Brett Teskey. Mitch Kilgore appeared to tweak something in warmup, and the Wings' 20-year-old and one of the SJHL's top goaltenders would take a seat on the bench, bringing Teskey into the spotlight, whose only minutes in these playoffs came in Game 1 of this series, when he mopped up the second half of the game after Kilgore was lifted early in period 2, as Melville went on to win the opener 7-1.

There were so many twists and turns in Game 5. Michael Desjarlais opened the scoring midway through the first, but then Melville's top line got running around in their own end against Weyburn's fourth line of all rookies, and Thomas Carleton scored his first goal and first point of the series to tie it up 1:33 after Desjarlais's goal, and it was 1-1 after one.

The only goal of the second period saw Jesse Ross fire a wrist shot home on a 3-on-2, with about 5 minutes left, giving the Wings their first lead of the game.

Early in the third, Eric Macoretta, a defenseman who hadn't played a minute in these playoffs until this game, and was playing forward, chipped home a backhand to make it 3-1, and it looked like that would be enough, the way goals were coming.

Well, then the goals started coming.

25 seconds later, Alex Elliott snapped home a centring feed from Connor Bradshaw, after Colin Mospanchuk did a lot of the dirty work in the corner. Then 17-year-old rookie Allen Kilback sniped his first career SJHL playoff goal, and it was 3-3, still with 6:10 to play.

With less than two minutes on the clock, the Red Wings won a faceoff in the Mils' zone, and defenseman Dylan Coupal sent a shot wide, and Jack Kennelly potted the rebound off the end boards to give the Wings the lead right back.

Blake Voth went to the bench, and Mr. Clutch, Ian McNulty would find a loose puck in the slot and tally his team-leading 8th of the post season, with 52 seconds on the clock.

The Mils were then stuck in their own zone and were forced to take a few faceoffs in the final minute. McNutly won 2 or 3 draws in a row clean, but the Mils failed to clear the puck. And, with 12 seconds left, they dropped it in one last time, and it was a scrambled draw, sent back to the point, and Braden Kmita threaded it through traffic, and Sanderson redirected it in, with 8.6 on the clock.

As mentioned, Aschim came real close to tying it yet again, but it stayed out, and the Millionaires are facing elmination as they return home for tonight's Game 6.

Coach Jamie Fiesel said on the Post Game Show "It's not a heart-breaker at all, we didn't deserve to be in that game."

Both coaches seemed content going first line vs first line, all series, but early in Game 5, Dwight McMillan threw out his fourth line of all rookies, in Logan Maddin, Thomas Carelton and Cory Kosloski, who had a combined zero points coming into Game 5, and at times, they dominated against Mireau-McNulty-Kilback. Once the Mils had the puck in the offensive zone, they did the same, but the young trio of Wings showed no fear and passed that test with flying colours.

That also got the Sanderson line away from McNulty, and that also appeared to pay off, as that line struck twice for the first time in the series.

It's gut-check time, and I expect a big bounce-back effort on home ice tonight from the Mils. They've had two games in the series so far where they really didn't look good at all, and lost 2-0 and 5-4. They've shown how good they can be when they put it all together, but now they HAVE TO.

The Horizon Credit Union Centre will be at its fullest, and here's hoping the bulk of the 1500+ in attendance will head home excited and thinking about Game 7.

MILS ALUMNI: Kale Dolinski (Arizona State Sun Devils)

MILS ALUMNI: Justin Hollinger (Univ of Lethbridge Pronghorns)

MILS FAN BUS FOR GAME 5

Different bus, so seats are $30, and going fast. Game tickets for adults are $14 at the door in Weyburn.

Seats are going fast, call Cecile 728-3236 or Howard 728-3989.

The bus leaves the East Side of the Horizon Credit Union Centre Friday at 4:30.

Sent from my BlackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

GAME 4: Wings 3 @ Mils 4 (OT) *With Audio*

The Millionaires let another 2 goal lead slip away, only this time, they were ones to end it in overtime, and tie the Sherwood Conference Final back up at two games each.

Colton Sanderson opened the scoring with his first point of the series just 1:48 into the first period, redirecting a Jesse Ross point shot on the powerplay.

Connor Lowe-Wylde banged home a rebound at 7:30 to tie it at one, and it stayed that way through 20 minutes. Mils' Coach/GM Jamie Fiesel put Russell Trudeau and Michael Desjarlais on a line with Lowe-Wylde, and they seemed to find instant chemistry, while rookie Allen Kilback jumped up on the top line with Ian McNulty and Jesse Mireau.

The Mils took another two goal lead when they scored twice in about 2:30 midway through the second period. After killing off another 5-on-3, Russell Trudeau stepped out of the penalty box, and Trudeau and Lucas Froese played give-and-go on a 2-on-1, and Froese finished off the short-handed marker. Shortly after, Brett Kipling wired home a one-timer to make it 3-1.

With 58 seconds left in period two, Sam Williams tipped in a Braden Kmita point shot to cut it to 3-2, and just after a Wings' third period powerplay expired, Keegan Bruce found himself wide-open in front, and chipped it over Blake Voth, who made a valiant effort to dive across the crease.

Single overtime would solve nothing, and it looked like double might not either, until Tyson Newell set up Mils' Captain Lee Christensen for a one-timer, and it appeared that his bullet went straight in. After looking at the tape, Ian McNulty did tip it home, for his team-leading 7th of the playoffs.

That ties the series at two, and means the SJHL Sherwood Conference Final is going at least six games. Game 5 goes tomorrow (FRI) night in Weyburn, with Game 6 now a sure thing, Saturday in Melville. 7:15 Pre Game Shows, Play-by-Play at 7:30 both nights.

FIESEL LOOKS AHEAD TO GAME 4

GAME 3: Mils 2 @ Wings 3 (OT) (Wings lead series 2-1)

With 3:30 left in Game 3, the Millionaires had a 2-0 lead... but then Weyburn's powerplay, which up until that point was 1-for-33 (3.0%) in the playoffs and 0/19 in the series, connected on back to back late chances to force overtime, before Jack Kennelly scored just 3:03 into extra time.

Despite a combined 47 shots on goal through two periods, it was a scoreless tie. Mitch Kilgore had stopped 26 to that point, while Blake Voth stopped 21.

All the scoring in regulation happened in period three. A Bob Pond point shot went wide, and Jesse Mireau stuffed in the rebound off the end boards to make it 1-0 2:12 into the third. Then, in the dying seconds of a powerplay, Lucas Froese tipped home a Lee Christensen one-timer, and it was 2-0 around the midway point.

There was a late 4-on-4 situation, and just as Weyburn's penalized player stepped out of the box, Jordon Hoffman ripped a wrist shot over the Voth's blocker to cut it to 2-1, and on another late powerplay, with 1:30 to go, Jesse Ross had a long shot get blocked, go straight up, and over Voth to tie things up.

The overtime goal saw the Wings chip the puck into Melville's left wing corner... Miguel Pereira got to it first, sent a backhand pass into the slot, and Kennelly one-timed it high glove side.

The positive, the Mils played great, maybe even better than Game 1, and were night and day better than Game 2. They did get into penalty trouble, and were handed back to back 5-on-3's that were VERY borderline calls to put them down two men, both late in the second period. They killed them all off, much thanks to Allen Kilback, who, in his first game of the series, was arguably their best player.

And, that said about some of the calls against the Mils, they were also handed an iffy call the other way just 11 seconds into overtime, and failed to generate anything, much less capitalize and win a game that they were likely the better team in for the most part.

Shots were 37-26 for the Millionaires, who return home, almost in must-win country, for Game 4 tomorrow night. Catch the Pre Game Show at 7:15, Play by Play at 7:30 on GX94, and www.gx94radio.com . Oh, and thanks to those who alerted me via text and twitter that our online streaming wasn't working at the start of the game. I was able to let the right people know and the problem was fixed quickly.

Game 2 Delay Pictures: Hole in the Ice

GAME 2: Wings 2 @ Mils 0 (Series tied 1-1)

A stalled zamboni and a large hole in the ice led to a one hour, 45 minute delay, and anyone aside from the Weyburn Red Wings and their fans are probably wishing they decided to play Game 2 of the Sherwood Conference Final on Sunday.

The puck dropped at about 9:15, and the Melville Millionaires followed up a 7-1 rout of Weyburn on Friday, with a 2-0 loss in front of their home fans on Saturday.

They managed just 5 shots in each of the first and second periods, had some chances late, but couldn't beat Mitch Kilgore, who stopped 22 shots for the shutout, one night after he was hooked 24 minutes into the series opener.

Miguel Pereira and Jordon Hoffman both scored, and set up each other, while the top line on each club was held off the score sheet.

Coach Jamie Fiesel called their powerplay "unwatchable", as the Mils went 0/7, after a 4/8 showing in Game 1. The Wings also went 0/7, and they're now 0/13 in the series, and 1/26 in the playoffs.

I'm not sure how else to put it, and maybe it was because of our 15 minute Pre Game Show being extended to two hours... but it was a stinker! Very hard to get into. Lots of penalties both ways (and a combined 0/14 on the PP) so very little flow. The Mils couldn't get much of anything going offensively, took some ill-advised penalties, and their powerplay was much like Feez described it.

Just like Game 1 though, Game 2 was "just one game," although you can't help but think the Mils let a great opportunity slip away after stealing Game 1 on the road.

Blake Voth was their bright spot, stopping 35/37 shots, and has himself a .954% in the series.

So far the top two scoring lines in the SJHL's regular season have hardly been factors. Mireau/McNulty/Trudeau have combined for one point (McNulty goal in Game 1), while Bruce/Sanderson/Ross have one goal (Bruce Game 1).

Game 3 goes Monday night in Weyburn. Pre Game Show (hopefully only 15 minutes long this time!) starts at 7:15.

TERRIER AWARD WINNERS

2011-2012 Yorkton Terriers Awards

Three Star Award (Donated by Subway)

1) Zak Majkowski

2) Warren Shymko

3) Tyler Giebel

Playoff MVP (Donated by GX 94)

Melville Series: Brent Struble

Scholastic Award (Donated by the Yorkton Terrier Hockey Club)

Dawson MacAuley

Top Scorer For Regular Season (Donated by the Yorkton Terrier Hockey Club)

Zak Majkowski

Playoff Top Scorer (Donated by The Fox & GX 94)

Brent Struble, Tyler Giebel

Dedicated & Serves Community (Ed Ruf Memorial)

Kelly Leismeister

Mr.Personality (Jamie Standish Award)

Jeremy Johnson

Most Gentlemanly

Ryon Sookro

Most Improved (Schoenroths & Wolfe Memorial)

Curtis Oliver

Unsung Hero (Donated by Park’s Jewellery)

Kailum Gervais, Brenden Poncelet

Most Popular (Amos Border Memorial)

Riley Paterson

Mr. Hustle ( Donated by Yorkton Co-op)

Tyler Giebel

Rookie Of The Year (Doc’s Cup)

Brady Norrish, Chase Norrish

Coaches Award (The Josh Campbell Memorial Trophy)

Riley Paterson, Keven Cann

Most Valuable Defenseman (Donated by the Yorkton Terrier Hockey Club)

Devon McMullen

Most Valuable Player (Guy Lamb Memorial Trophy)

Brent Struble

Presidents Trophy (Donated by Gene Krepakevich)

Sam Rockwell

GAME 1: Mils 7 @ Wings 1

After a scoreless first period where the Millionaires looked rather sluggish, they exploded out of the gates in period two, scoring three times in the first four minutes, and adding a fourth just over 8 minutes in, building a 4-0 lead, en route to a 7-1 win over the Red Wings in Weyburn, Game 1 of the SJHL Sherwood Conference Final.

Connor Bradshaw scored twice and added two assists, giving him 3-goals and 9-points in 6 playoff games. Lucas Froese added 1g-2a, while Sean Aschim, Ian McNulty, Lee Christensen and Alex Elliott also scored.
Blake Voth didn't have to be great, but he was. He kept it 0-0 after 20 minutes when the Mils were out-shot 10-4 in the opening frame, and made two spectacular glove saves in the second period, one off a Carter Struthers wrist shot, and another on what looked like an open-net backhand for Jordon Hoffman. Keegan Bruce scored Weyburn's goal, on a short-handed breakaway in the final minute of period two.

The Millionaires went 4/8 on the powerpaly, while the Wings went 0/6.

Game 2 goes tonight in Melville at the Horizon Credit Union Centre. Join us for the Pre Game Show at 7:15 on GX94, www.gx94radio.com .

Just a note, in 2009, the Mils stole Game 1 in Weyburn, and then returned home to lose 5-0 in Game 2. Lost of series left!

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Former Terrier Robbie Ciolfi still has a scoring touch in the playoffs, I guess you could say. Ciolfi scored four times in a 9-4 Humboldt Broncos win over Battlefords in Game 1 of the Bauer Conference Final.

Ciolfi has 9 goals in 5 games this post season, and now 23 in 20 career SJHL playoff games, after leading the SJHL with 14 in 15 games as a Terrier last season.

GAME 1: Mils 7 @ Wings 1

GX94 Playoff Preview: (3) Millionaires vs (1) Red Wings - SJHL Sherwood Final

Melville (29-21-4-4) 66 points vs Weyburn (37-19-1-1) 76 points

How they got here:
Melville: After losing Game 1 in Yorkton, the Mils came back to win the next 4, taking the Sherwood Semi 4-1.
Weyburn: Finished first, swept Estevan in Round 1.

LEADERS

MELVILLE
Regular Season
Ian McNulty 58 GP (39g-47a-86p)
Jesse Mireau 49 GP (29g-42a-71p)
Russell Trudeau 42 GP (29g-25a-54p)
Tyson Newell 57 GP (10g-44a-54p)

Playoffs
Ian McNulty 5 GP (5g-3a-8p)
Colin Mospanchuk 5 GP (4g-2a-6p)
Jesse Mireau 3 GP (1g-5a-6p)
Lucas Froese 5 GP (3g-2a-5p)
Alex Elliott 5 GP (2g-3a-5p)
Connor Bradshaw 5 GP (1g-4a-5p)

WEYBURN
Regular Season
Jesse Ross 56 GP (46g-45a-91p)
Coltyn Sanderson 57 GP (32g-49a-81p)
Keegan Bruce 58 GP (23g-53a-76p)
Jordon Hoffman 55 GP (19g-31a-50p)
Miguel Pereira 39 GP (23g-20a-43p)

Playoffs
Coltyn Sanderson 4 GP (4g-4a-8p)
Ryan Whitell 4 GP (3g-3a-6p)
Miguel Pereira 3 GP (2g-3a-5p)
Keegan Bruce 4 GP (1g-4a-5p)
Jesse Ross 4 GP (3g-0a-3p)

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

Millionaires vs Weyburn
Jesse Mireau 5 GP (4g-6a-10p)
Ian McNulty 6 GP (3g-5a-8p)
Michael Sagen 6 GP (3g-3a-6p)
Bob Pond 5 GP (0g-6a-6p)
Russell Trudeau 4 GP (4g-1a-5p)

Red Wings vs Melville
Jesse Ross 5 GP (4g-1a-5p)
Jack Kennelly 6 GP (3g-2a-5p)
Miguel Pereira 4 GP (3g-1a-4)
*Coltyn Sanderson never scored against Melville (5-0-4-4)
*No Weyburn defenseman scored against Melville (Whitell's played F most of the year)

IN GOAL

MILLIONAIRES

Blake Voth
Regular Season: 16-11-1, 3.05 GAA, .915%, 1 SO
Playoffs: 4-1, 3.52 GAA, .908%
vs Weyburn: 2-1, 2.34 GAA, .908%

- Voth will start Game 1, and has the bull by the horns, and got better as the Yorkton series went on. The Mils have a solid backup plan in Alex Wakaluk, who had good numbers against the Wings in the regular season. But the Mils acquired Voth and his championship experience for a reason, and that's for games and series' like these.

Alex Wakaluk
Regular Season: 13-10-2, 2.97 GAA, .910%, 1 SO
vs Weyburn: 1-0-1, 2.86 GAA, .916%

RED WINGS

Mitch Kilgore
Regular Season: 26-14-1, 2.90 GAA, .906%, 2 SO
Playoffs: 4-0, 1.50 GAA, .955%, 1 SO
vs Melville: 2-2, 3.76 GAA, .881%

- Kilgore's numbers were sub-par against the Millionaires, but he seems to be playing his best at the right time of year. He's in the 'elite' tier with the likes of Nipawin's Davis Jones for sure. His 26 wins tied Jones for the most in the league. His win total, GAA, %, and SO, all lead or are tied for the league lead in these playoffs. Mils' Coach Jamie Fiesel said this week the Wings defensemen do a good job of protecting Kilgore, allowing him to see point shots, and clearing away second chances. The Mils have to get to the net before they can worry about scoring, and they'll have a big, physical Weyburn blue line to get through first.

- Kilgore was a workhorse during the regular season. He led the SJHL in minutes played (2437). He started the Wings' first 10 games of the season, and played 7 straight near the end of the year, before the Wings wrapped up top spot. The early acquisition of Brett Teskey from the Kootenay Ice allowed the Red Wings to give Kilgore a much-needed rest at times. Teskey played 12 games in a 29 game stretch between Oct/14 and Dec/16, as the Wings were surely trying to preserve their starter, while getting option #2 some quality minutes incase they need him.

SEASON SERIES
Oct/12: Melville 4 @ Weyburn 5 (SO)
Oct/23: Weyburn 4 @ Melville 3 (SO)
Nov/9: Weyburn 2 @ Melville 4
Dec/18: Melville 2 @ Weyburn 4
Jan/3: Weyburn 2 @ Melville 6
Feb/7: Melville 5 @ Weyburn 2

Millionaires: 3-1-0-2
At home: 2-0-1
In Weyburn: 1-1-0-1

Red Wings: 3-3-0
At home: 2-1
In Melville: 1-2

SPECIAL TEAMS

Millionaires
Regular Season
PP: 21.8% (3rd)
PK: 80.1% (8th)

Playoffs
PP: 6/23 (26.1%)
PK: 25/32 (78.1%)

Red Wings
Regular Season
PP: 18.6% (9th)
PK: 82.1% (5th)

Playoffs
PP: 1/13 (7.7%)
PK: 21/22 (95.5%)

HEAD-TO-HEAD PP's

Millionaires
2/4, 1/7, 1/8, 1/8, 1/8, 2/6= 8/41 (19.5%) (Wings' PK 80.5%)

Red Wings
0/3, 2/4, 0/7, 0/4, 0/3, 0/6= 2/27 (7.4%) (Mils' PK 92.6%)

*The Mils scored at least one PP goal in all 6 meetings, while Weyburn's PP found the board in just one. The Mils also had 14 more powerplays than the Wings, which also jumps out.

BIG THREE vs BIG THREE?

Mireau-McNulty-Trudeau



McNulty: 39 goals, 86 points
Mireau: 29 goals, 71 points
Trudeau: 29 goals, 54 points

Bruce-Sanderson-Ross



Ross: 46 goals, 91 points
Sanderson: 32 goals, 81 points
Bruce: 23 goals, 76 points

I didn't check every team, but I think I'm safely assuming that the 101 goals that Ross, Sanderson and Bruce put up was more than any other line in the SJHL. Following closely behind, were McNulty, Mireau and Trudeau, with 97. And, the Mils' big line would have averaged a little more. Mireau missed 9 games, and Trudeau arrived in November and missed 16. McNulty played every game. The Wings' top line missed only 3 games between them. Ross was out for two, Sanderson one, while Bruce was the iron man.

So the Weyburn's Big Three scored their 101 goals in a combined 171 games, while Melville's combined to play in 149. When they're all in the lineup, they certainly do rival, or beat any other trio out there. Exhibit A was when they scored 5 straight goals in a period and a half in Game 5 in Yorkton and made it look like child's play. If one of those two lines out-performs the other, well then it's a story, but I'm thinking it will be almost a wash. I think it comes down to which supporting cast can supply more offense.

I'll be paying close attention to see how Desjarlais-Aschim-Froese match up with Whitell-Hoffman-Pereira production-wise. I'm not sure what Weyburn's combos are after that, but if Jack Kennelly's a third liner, they're pretty deep. I've enjoyed watching him. Lots of size and skill. Melville's third line of Elliott-Bradshaw-Mospanchuk also proved they can take a game over, in Game 3 in Yorkton. Some mix of Sagen, Lowe-Wylde, Wasden, Kilback and Reeve will fit in on the fourth. For the first time in forever (like all season), the Millionaires will have a couple healthy forwards sitting. From watching practice Tuesday I think I know who that is for Game 1, but I'll make you wait for the Pre Game Show!

On the backend, if Tyson Newell's ready to go, it makes Melville a whole different team. He will instantly boost the powerplay and provide a big shot from the point. Weyburn doesn't have a defenseman with as much offensive upside as Newell, which is the only possible explanation I can think of for their powerplay being where it is despite their crop of forwards. But while there's no Newell in their lineup, the Red Wings are arguably deeper from 1-6 on the blue line, but it's really close. Rookie Carter Struthers (6'5", 204), and 19-year-old Jens Johnson (5'10" 190) are likely the best of the bunch, but Dylan Coupal (6'4" 205), Tyler Borstmayer (6'5" 190), Kevin Morrison (6'2" 200) and Braden Kmita (6'1" 210) are all big, steady guys.

The average size of those six defensemen: 6'2.5", 199.9 lbs

Series Schedule
(All games on GX94 www.gx94radio.com with coverage starting at 7:15)
Fri/Mar/16: @ Weyburn 7:30
Sat/Mar/17: @ Melville 7:30
Mon/Mar/19: @ Weyburn 7:30
Wed/Mar/21: @ Melville 7:30
Fri/Mar/23: @ Weyburn 7:30
Sat/Mar/24: @ Melville 7:30
Tue/Mar/27: @ Weyburn 7:30

This is the Millionaires' first trip to the Sherwood Final since 2009. In '09, the Millionaires beat Yorkton in the Conference Semis (in 7 games), then knocked off the first place Wings in 6, in what was an amazing series. Then the Mils faced Humboldt in the final, losing in five. Can the Millionaires (and Broncos) make it a rematch?

- One of the craziest and most exciting games I've done was Game 3 of the 2009 Sherwood Final. The Mils were down 3-1 late in the third. Kale Dolinski scored a weird one from behind the net to tie it, and Logan Herauf got the winner 31 seconds later with 1:03 left.

Here's a description, and the audio from that game.

In Game 4 at the Vault in Melville, they erased another late two-goal deficit and Casey Dion scored on a wrister from the point in double overtime to go up 3-1 in the series. They lost Game 5 in Weyburn but finished it off on home ice in Game 6, when Travis Bosch picked up the shutout in a 3-0 win.

Here's hoping the 2012 Sherwood Final is half as exciting as 2009!