The Yorkton Terriers pushed the Melville Millionaires to the brink of elimination with a 4-1 victory in Game 5 Saturday night, grabbing a 3-2 lead in their SJHL quarter-final in front of 1,962 fans at Westland Insurance Arena.
Special Teams Swing the Game
After a quiet opening 20 minutes, the game turned late in the second period—and it turned fast.
With a two-man advantage, Yorkton struck twice in just 17 seconds. Thomas Ries and Tyler Palin wired nearly identical point shots through traffic, beating the goaltender Matthew Spencer-Dahl clean to give the Terriers a 2-0 lead heading into the third.
Yorkton’s power play continues to be a difference-maker, now 5-for-25 in the series.
Melville’s lone response came on the man advantage, with Keil Schmalz converting to bring the Millionaires to 3-for-18 through five games—but it wasn’t enough to swing momentum back.
Home Ice Holds Strong
Yorkton responded exactly how it needed to after Friday’s loss, improving to 2-1 on home ice this postseason.
They’ve now won 22 of 31 games at home between the regular season and playoffs—a trend that continues to anchor their success.
Back to Melville for Game 6
The series now shifts back to Melville, where the Millionaires face elimination.
Game 6 is set for Monday night at the CN Community Centre, with puck drop at 7:00 PM.
Elsewhere,
North Stars End Mustangs’ Reign
There will be a new SJHL champion in 2026.
Linken Fisher scored 3:51 into double overtime to lift the Battlefords North Stars to a 4-3 win, eliminating the two-time defending champion Melfort Mustangs in five games.
Melfort held a 3-2 third-period lead on goals from Noel Englot, Jack McHarg, and Austin Shepherd before captain Anthony Campbell tied it with 11:42 remaining.
Spencer Michnik was stellar in his first SJHL playoff start, stopping 41 of 44 shots.
Red Wings One Win Away
The Weyburn Red Wings are on the verge of advancing after a dominant 6-1 win over the Nipawin Hawks.
Josh Sale, Callas Pierce, Roan Burgess, and Dion Schraeder each posted a goal and an assist, while Lucas Schmid added three helpers.
Trennen Redlick and Turner McIntyre also scored, and Joey Rocha turned aside 38 shots in the victory.
Game 6 heads back to Weyburn Monday night at the Whitecap Resources Centre.
