Last time the AAA Stars faced off against the Argos, it was Notre Dame outplaying the black and white en route to a 6-2 win.
Home ice seemed to rejuvenate the Battlefords, who lost six of eight on the road coming into today, managing to hold on in a close 6-5 game.
In the first period the AAA Stars dominated the offensive zone but were unable to capitalize on a long five-on-three opportunity. The Argos played smart in front of their netminder, keeping them to the perimeter.
The AAA Stars got on the board after an awkward play from behind the net. Keegan McBride swooped in and threw the puck out in front, ricocheting off the skate of Karstin McDonald and in between the legs of the Riley Higdon. The tally was McDonald’s third of the season.
Leading scorer Owen Lamb kicked off the festivities in the second, using his speed to get around Argo defenders before feeding Keelan Saworski with a cross ice pass. 2-0.
Notre Dame came back less than a minute later. A nice slap pass from Jacob Arsenault found the stick of Artem Chupin, who deflected it past a sprawling Jake Taylor and hitting twine.
Second period scoring came in bunches as the AAA Stars capitalized on a power play opportunity two minutes after the Argos answered. Higdon got a piece of a Jayden Nachtegaele shot, but Saworski was there to bat it out of the air for his second of the game and seventh of the campaign.
With 9:22 left in the second Notre Dame brought themselves within one. Artem Chupin, who has had the Stars number this year, scored his second of the tilt.
A rebound goal just under a minute later gave the Stars their two goal advantage back. A slap shot from McBride kicked off the Argos netminder and right onto the stick of Lamb making it 4-2.
The teams continued to exchange shots, Notre Dame came back with a two-on-one goal of their own thirty seconds after Lamb produced a two goal advantage. Everett Hicks came flying down the ice with Kirill Klassen. Hicks hit the tape of Klassen across the slot, who wristed it home over the glove of Taylor, bringing the Argos within one, 4-3.
I’m not sure if you could give the next goal to Saworski or the glass. Number 24 sent in a harmless dump that bounced off the boards and past Higdon to restore the two goal lead. The easiest third goal to cap off a hat trick in his young career.
The AAA Stars took advantage of some undisciplined play from the Argos in the final frame, scoring on a five-on-three power play yet again to give themselves a three goal, 6-3, cushion. Tanner Brewster notched the goal from the point, set up by Saworski and McBride.
Notre Dame continued to battle and refused to throw in the towel, scoring their fourth of the tilt off a scramble play in front of Taylor. Again, Chupin made the Stars pay, putting home his third of the game and fifth in the last two against the Stars. He now has eight goals on the season.
The Argos would add another late in the period but the AAA Stars would shut it down from there.
For the most part, it was the Battlefords game to lose, controlling the play and setting the tempo of the game. They dominated in the shots department (37-23) and created quality chances throughout their power play opportunities.
In game two of their mini series against the teams from Notre Dame, this time against the 14-7 Hounds, the AAA Stars lost a nail-biter, 5-4.
The Stars jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening frame with goals from Ben Hiltz, Jordan Mish and Keelan Saworski, who registered his fourth point of the weekend.
Notre Dame climbed back into the tilt scoring four unanswered, capped off by an Adam Dawe tally late in the second to give the Hounds a one goal advantage.
Keegan McBride, who had three points a day ago, notched his fourth of the weekend, tying the game at four, just five minutes into the final 20 minutes.
But with under two minutes left, it was Jared Power who took a feed from Cole Kirkup, scoring the game winner to close this one out.
Both teams went a perfect 4/4 on the penalty kill, scoring all of their goals playing even strength hockey.
It was a game that almost came down to the last possession, with two even-balanced and skill offences going toe-to-toe, firing 34 shots to 33 in favour of the Battlefords Stars.
On deck are the Prince Albert Mintos this Tuesday at the Civic Centre. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
