The Battlefords Midget Stars had a chance to claim a playoff spot with a win Wednesday on home ice against the Saskatoon Contacts, but they failed to do that and remain in seventh in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League standings.
The Stars' goalie Ryan Rewers was busy in the first period making 14 saves. It was a back and forth period, but both teams were held off the scoreboard.
In the second period, Rodney Southam capitalized on a turnover by the Stars' defence in their own zone and beat Rewerts up high.
In the third period, the Stars tied the game, as Ryan Frehlick scored after some nice passes on a two-on-one with Josh Bly. Frehlick's 11th goal tied the game with 16 minutes to play.
Saskatoon responded minutes later when Kade Kehoe jammed a puck by Rewerts after he made the first save off the rush.
The next shift, Ashton Clark baited Ross Hnidy of the Contacts into a four-minute head contact penalty and the Stars scored on the power play. Braden Lacoursiere scored with a point shot, as Maxim Powiada and Frehlick drew the assists. Lacoursiere is now the highest scoring Stars' defenceman with five goals and 19 points in 36 games.
With less than three minutes to play in the game, Saskatoon's Kobe Kindrachuk deflected a point shot by Rewerts and reclaimed the lead for the Contacts.
The Stars called a timeout and pulled their goalie for the extra attacker later in the game, but couldn't generate a good scoring chance, to suffer the 3-2 loss.
Rewerts made 34 saves while his counterpart, Rylan Parenteau, made 35 saves for the win. The Stars were 1/4 with man advantage while the Contacts were 0/3.
The Stars will be back in action Saturday and Sunday against the Notre Dame Hounds. The Stars have tied and beat the Hounds in their other two games this season.
A Stars win will help them clinch a playoff spot, as the Notre Dame Argos are nine points back with five games remaining, the same number of games left as the Stars.
Looking ahead of the Stars in the standings, the Saskatoon Blazers are three points up, Yorkton is two points up and both have played more games, meaning they are within reach of the Stars if they can go on a streak to end the regular season.
