A pair of narrow losses proved to be the Battlefords Stars undoing in the race for a playoff spot in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.
Following a 4-3 loss to the Beardy’s Blackhawks at the Civic Centre in their home finale Tuesday night, the Stars dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to the Prince Albert Mintos at the Art Hauser Centre to leave them on the outside looking in for a post-season berth for the third straight season.
Thursday’s loss in Prince Albert saw the Stars claw their way back on multiple occasions, as they tied the game up three times before Kishaun Gervais scored for the Mintos with just 17 seconds left in the third period to complete a four-point night.
Adam Beckman led the way for the Stars with a goal and an assist in the loss, while Ty Mosimann had a pair of helpers.
Tye Scherger, Damon McKenzie and Matthew Flodell also scored for the visitors, who recieved a 38-save performance from rookie netminder Carter Serhyenko.
Tuesday’s setback at home saw the Stars pepper the Blackhawks net with 46 shots on goal, including 20 in the third period, but they were frustrated on numerous occasions by netminder Kobey Clarke.
Beckman, McKenzie and Luke Fennig all scored in the loss for the Stars, while Joseph Young turned aside 26 shots.
The Stars will concludes their regular season slate with a pair of road games over the weekend against the Moose Jaw Generals, but they will not have enough points to take the eighth and final playoff seed.
Heading into the weekend, Beckman leads the race for the SMAAAHL scoring with 71 points in 39 games, which is just one marker ahead of Jaydon Dureau of the Regina Pat Canadians.
Beckman also has the most goals in the league with 39, which is seven more than Luke Mylymok of the Notre Dame Hounds.
Mosimann has the most assists in the SMAAAHL with 48, which is seven more than Hunter Lamb of the Swift Current Legionnaires.
