Benny Walchuk:
So once again on the Yorkton Terriers Coaches Show on GX94, we’re joined by head coach and GM Emery Olauson. Coach, you’ve had over a week off from game action — what has this break allowed your team to focus on the most?
Emery Olauson:
Well, rest and recuperation. We kind of came through the gauntlet with that four-games-in-five-days road trip. After that, we actually got the opportunity to send guys home for a few days, and then we had some skill development days last week. This week, we have a full stretch of preparation for one opponent, so hopefully we can dial in on details, go through some video, and knock the rust off — that’s the goal. The break has also given us a chance to heal up and get our roster in order. We’re hoping to be basically 100 percent with all of our rostered players, which is a good sign at this time of year.
Benny Walchuk:
The team has already been through a long break earlier this season. From a coaching standpoint, what’s the biggest challenge you’ve seen with a gap like this?
Emery Olauson:
This week in practice, it’s been about getting that competition level back up. You don’t want to be shocked by the intensity level, especially with Melville. We know it’s a rivalry, and those games are always hotly contested. That first period back can be a wake-up call if you’re not ready, so the biggest challenge is simulating that game environment, especially for a Melville–Yorkton series. It’s emotional, and both rinks will be packed now that the Blue Jays and Roughriders seasons are over. So we have to make sure we’re ready — mentally and physically — for a battle.
Benny Walchuk:
You mentioned the rivalry, which always brings out the best in both teams. What challenges does Melville present, and how do you feel your group matches up against your Highway 10 rivals this weekend?
Emery Olauson:
They’re big, physical, and fast. They play a very stingy defensive game. Since I’ve been in Yorkton, it’s been the classic matchup — we’re a little smaller, fast, skilled, and they’re bigger and more physical. But we hope to counter that. We feel like we’ve gotten more physical as the season goes on and have injected some size into our lineup, too. They’ve got skill throughout their roster — guys like Margolis, Edwards, who’s off to a good start statistically, Harkness and Golden on the back end — the list goes on. We feel we have skill throughout our lineup as well. We just have to counter their size with our speed. It should be a pretty intriguing matchup.
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