The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Yorkton Terriers have claimed this year's SJHL championship Ð and they did it in dramatic fashion. Yorkton edged a determined Battlefords North Stars team 2-1 in an hard fought seventh game Ð winner take all Ð played Wednesday night in Yorkton. Just over 2,000 fans saw their hometown Terriers take a 1-0 lead after the opening period, then watched as the North Stars tied it up 1-1 after two. In the third, Yorkton put the game, and the season, on ice with the lone goal of the period. There were only two penalties called in the entire game, one to each team. The North Stars' lone goal was scored by Derek Keller on the power play at the 19:17 mark of the second period after Yorkton had taken a late slashing penalty. See 'Yorkton' P.# Con't from P.# Meanwhile, both of Yorkton's goals were scored while the teams were at even strength. Josh Garbutt opened the scoring for Yorkton at 12:39 of the first period, and Barry Sparvier scored to break a 1-1 tie, and to win the game, at 13:53 of the final frame. Earlier in the third period, the North Stars took their lone penalty at 3:51, but had successfully held off the Terrier attack. In the shots-on goal department, Yorkton outshot Battlefords 13-11 in the first period, the North Stars roared back to outshoot the home squad 10-6 in the second frame, and the two teams shared 10 shots apiece in the final period. This gave the visiting Battlefords a slim 31-29 shots-on-goal edge. With their 2-1 win, the Terriers not only treated their fans to the thrill of winning the SJHL championship in Game Seven on home ice, but they have also taken their community one more step towards a berth in the 2005 Royal Bank Cup. Standing in their way is a team from another league, with a familiar name. The MJHL Portage Terriers, champions of Manitoba, are ready to do battle with Yorkton for the Anavet Cup. The winner of the Anavet Cup will represent the Man./Sask. Region in the RBC Royal Bank Cup National Junior A Championship, which begins Saturday, May 7 in Weyburn. As the host team for the RBC tournament, the SJHL Weyburn Red Wings have also earned a berth in the national event. Here are the dates for the upcoming Anavet Cup Championship between Portage and Yorkton. It will be an all 'Terrier' affair: April 22 - Yorkton at Portage April 23 - Yorkton at Portage April 26 - Portage at Yorkton April 27 - Portage at Yorkton April 28 - Portage at Yorkton (if necessary) April 30 - Yorkton at Portage (if necessary) May 1 - Yorkton at Portage (if necessary).
