Jordan Keller had a goal and two assists to lead the Battleford Beaver Blues to a 6-1 win over the Glaslyn North Stars at the Battleford Arena Dec. 12.
Battleford has won three straight games to open the season.
The North Stars opened the scoring in the first period four minutes into the game. Richie Mossiman beat Battleford goaltender Mitch Hawtin to give Glaslyn a 1-0 lead.
Beaver Blues forward Scott Manula tied the game up midway through the period. His shot hit the post and got past Glaslyn goalie Cameron Simkins.
Simkins kept the game tied into the first intermission after a huge pad save during a Beaver Blues' power play.
Battleford took the lead 1:49 into the second period. Mitch Phillips' well-placed shot hit the post on its way past Simkins. The Beaver Blues kept up the pressure shortly after the goal as Manula was stopped on a breakaway attempt.
Glaslyn's Mat Arsenault also had a breakaway chance stopped, but also made a great defensive play. Simkins turned the puck over while out of his net. The puck came off the boards to Beaver Blues forward Brett Michnik who had a wide open cage. Aresnault dove in front of the puck to knock it away from the net, keeping the score 2-1.
Frustrations started to boil over in the period as the game became more physical. Michnik and North Stars forward Ryan Macdonald were sent off for high sticking after a scrum in front of the Glaslyn net.
The Beaver Blues extended their lead to two with four minutes left in the second. Travis Keller carried the puck into the Glaslyn zone and around the net. He centred the puck for Keegan Sparrow who snuck it past Simkins.
A minute later, Kellar let a soft wrist shot go off a faceoff in the Glaslyn zone. Simkins appeared to make the save, but the puck found its way past the goal line.
In the third, the Beaver Blues took advantage of an early power play. Sparrow dumped the puck into the Glaslyn zone. Michnik recovered in the corner and put a shot on net which was stopped. Brent Salzl buried the rebound to put Battleford up 5-1.
Battleford put the game away for good late in the third. Manula and Mike Nelson came in on a two on one, with Nelson finishing the play off with a goal.
Hawtin picked up his third win of the season for the Beaver Blues in net. Simkins suffered his third loss for the North Stars.
It was announced during the game the Beaver Blues' home game on Dec. 21 was cancelled with no make-up date announced. The next home game for Battleford is Dec. 27 against the Meota Combines. Puck drop is 8 p.m. at Battleford Arena.
