YORKTON - The Melfort Mustangs had a dream start in SJHL action in Yorkton Saturday.
The visiting ‘Stangs took a 1-0 lead over the host Yorkton Terriers on their first shot of the night, only 39 seconds into the game. Leyton Holoien scored the goal.
The Terriers however responded quickly with Brett Butz evening things at 2:36.
And, that would be it for scoring in the first stanza as the defences stiffened in a period where each team managed 10 shots.
Melfort would change goaltenders after 20-minutes, with James Venne in for starter Joel Favreau.
Venne and Terrier netminder Tysen Smith would remain stingy with neither allowing a goal in the middle frame.
Dylan Ruptash would give the home side its first lead of the game scoring 6:08 into the third to make it 2-1.
But, a powerplay effort by Melfort’s Kevin Minnoch tied the game 2-2 at 10:05.
The game would remain knotted through the remainder of regulation time pushing the teams to a five-minute, three-on-three extra frame.
The added time proved nothing, leaving the final decision to be decided in a shoot-out, where the Terriers would emerge with the victory.
Favreau and Venne combined to 30-of-32 shots, while Yorkton’s Smith faced 27-shots.
The Terriers next action is set for Tuesday in Nipawin, with Battlefords at the Westland Insurance Arena in Yorkton Friday.
