Doug Falconer:
Good morning. It's time once again for the Yorkton Terriers Coaches Show on GX94. I'm joined by Terriers head coach and GM Emery Olauson. Emery, your team split a pair of games against Estevan over the weekend, winning at home before dropping the rematch on the road. What was the biggest difference between the two games?
Emery Olauson:
We got good goaltending at home and put ourselves in a position to win. We've talked about some inconsistent starts, particularly in the first 10 minutes, but we did a good job offensively, outshooting them 59-27. The game was close until the third period when we pulled away for the 6-3 win.
Saturday was a different story. We were down 3-0 in the first five minutes, but our guys battled back and tied it at three early in the second. I give them credit for that effort, but I think we used so much energy getting back into the game that we didn't have enough left to finish it. The biggest difference was really how we played in the first period.
Doug Falconer:
A couple of players who continue to make an offensive impact are Aidan Vallance and Drew Heil. What have you liked about their contributions lately?
Emery Olauson:
They've both been chipping in offensively. Aidan is a returning player we rely on heavily, especially on the power play, and he's playing on a line that's been very productive. Drew is also a returning player on the back end, playing on our top unit and getting opportunities on the power play. They're doing a lot of things right, and it's translating into points for both of them.
Doug Falconer:
The Terriers now prepare for five consecutive road games, with the Harvest Showdown coming up in Yorkton as well. It starts Saturday night in Melfort. How do you approach this stretch, especially against a Melfort team that's tough to play against?
Emery Olauson:
We need to get our road game figured out. It's about preparing the same way we do every week, but Melfort is never an easy place to play. They're very stingy defensively, and we can't afford to chase the game in that building. We need a strong start and have to avoid putting ourselves in an early hole, something that's happened too often this season.
Doug Falconer:
Finally, the Western All-Star Challenge takes place this week in Martensville, with Tyson Metternach representing the Terriers. You must be excited to see him get that opportunity.
Emery Olauson:
Absolutely. We're proud of Tyson, and he's very deserving of the recognition. He's a 17-year-old leading our team in scoring, and that's something special. With a young team, there are always going to be a few guys who are disappointed not to get selected. We have a defenceman who's leading the league in plus-minus and producing offensively, so that's a tough one. But Tyson has earned this opportunity, and hopefully he represents himself and our organization well at a great event.
