Vinay Junek played overtime hero, lifting the Yorkton Terriers to a dramatic 4-3 comeback win over the Melville Millionaires in Game 3, giving Yorkton a 2-1 lead in their SJHL quarter-final series.
Melville came out flying on home ice, with Jadon Kokosha opening the scoring just 1:45 in on a partial breakaway. The Millionaires controlled much of the first, but Callum Creig stood tall with 13 saves to keep it within reach.
Yorkton responded in the second, as Gavin Bartha buried his third goal in as many games off a feed from Tyler Palin on the power play. But Melville answered late, with Preston Baerwald restoring the lead in the final seconds of the frame.
The Millionaires pushed it to 3-1 early in the third on a goal from Kale Margolis, but that’s when momentum flipped.
Late in regulation, Yorkton’s top line took over. Gabriel Courchesne cut the deficit with under seven minutes to play, and moments later, Bartha set up Jye Zawatsky on the backdoor to tie the game 3-3.
In overtime, it was Junek finishing the job—burying a rebound off a Bartha chance to cap a thrilling comeback.
Creig made 30 saves in the win, while Matthew Spencer-Dahl turned aside 28 in a strong effort for Melville.
Game 4 goes Friday night in Melville.
Stars Shine as North Stars Push Mustangs to Brink
Anthony Campbell had a goal and three assists as the Battlefords North Stars doubled up the Melfort Mustangs 6-3 to grab a 3-1 series lead.
Kaeden Serpa was stellar again with 37 saves, while the North Stars capitalized twice on the power play.
Dru Mushumanski scored twice for Melfort, who now face elimination heading into Game 5 on home ice.
Bombers Put Bruins on the Brink
The Flin Flon Bombers are on the verge of advancing after a 4-2 win over the Estevan Bruins.
Leo Seitz scored the game-winner early in the third as Flin Flon now holds a commanding series edge heading into Game 4 in Estevan.
Red Wings Explode Late to Take Game 3
Callas Pierce had two goals and an assist as the Weyburn Red Wings erupted for five third-period goals in a 6-3 win over the Nipawin Hawks to take a 2-1 series lead.
Rylan Pearce and Aidan Mohan each added a goal and an assist, while Gage Roberts made 37 saves in a strong effort for Nipawin.
Game 4 goes Wednesday night in Weyburn.
