The Yorkton Terriers dropped the opening game of their SJHL Quarter-Final on Friday, 4-1 to the Melfort Mustangs.

The Mustangs struck first just 7:41 in as Clarke Huxley finished off a nice passing play to notch home his 1st goal of the playoffs to make it 1-0.

It would stay like that until 35 seconds left in the period as Melfort went in on a 2 on 1 and a blind back-pass from Noah Wilson found Thomas Moore back-door and he made no mistake to make 2-0 for the home-side after 1 period.

Melfort added to their lead just 3:44 into the 2nd frame as Zac Somers walked in over the blue-line and beat Kael DePape over the left pad to increase their lead to three.

But just under 4 minutes later, Tanner Sklaruk got the Terriers on the board as he took a nice back feed from Maddux Nollski and his wrister beat Joel Favreau top-shelf over the left shoulder to cut the Terriers’ deficit to just 2.

Clarke Huxley though regained the Mustangs’ three goal lead short-handed for his 2nd of the night making the score 4-1 for Melfort after 2 periods.

The two teams played to a scoreless 3rd period.

Mustang goalie Joel Favreau made 27 saves on 28 shots to earn the victory in goal, while Kael DePape made 27 saves in the losing.

The two teams will meet in Game 2 of the Best of 7 series on Saturday night. GX94 will broadcast the game, starting with pregame show at 7:20 and play by play begins at 7:30PM from the Northern Lights Palace.

Other Game 1 results:

Notre Dame Hounds 4, Estevan Bruins 3(2OT)
(Sam Kroon with OT winner)

La Ronge Ice Wolves 4, Humboldt Broncos 6
(Rhett Gibson with 2G for HUM)

Flin Flon Bombers 3, Battlefords North Stars 7
(Ryland McNinch with 3G; Michael Harroch with 47 saves for BFD)