After letting things get out of hand in Turtleford two nights earlier, the Battleford Beaver Blues made sure a lapse in concentration didn’t happen on their home ice Friday.
In front of a lively crowd at the Battleford Arena, the Beaver Blues tied up their best-of-five Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League semifinal series with the Edam Three Stars at a game apiece following a 3-2 victory.
“Everybody came to the rink tonight ready to play and ready to go to work,” Beaver Blues forward Keegan Sparrow said. “That was the biggest difference.”
Sparrow played a huge role in Friday’s triumph as he scored a pair of goals in a 31-second span during the second period.
“Both of those goals developed on the fly,” Sparrow said. “Cody Danberg made a couple of nice passes to me and I was able to find the open corners on each of the shots.”
Danberg also had a goal in the first period Friday while Brent Salzl picked up three assists.
“Everybody had their head up tonight,” Sparrow said. “They were making plays, using the body more and moving their feet.
“Our defence played well also, especially at the end when Edam was trying to tie it up.”
Brody Roach and Mitch Wall both scored for the Three Stars in the loss.
Wednesday’s encounter between the two sides in Turtleford was tied up at one after 20 minutes, which was when the Three Stars took control of the game.
“Once the second period started they wanted it way more than we did,” Sparrow said. “We just didn’t show up.”
Marc LaClare led the way for the Three Stars with a goal and two assists, while Damon Schaefer potted a pair of goals.
Keegan Bourelle, Owen LaClare and Roach each had a goal and an assist. Wall rounded out the scoring in the win.
Mike George and Tyler Wasmuth replied for the Beaver Blues.
The series will resume Monday at 8:30 p.m. in Edam, while a fourth game will take place at the Battleford Arena Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
If needed, a fifth and deciding contest will take place in Edam next Friday at 8:30 p.m.
The other SPHL semifinal series began Friday night as the Shellbrook Silvertips earned a 4-3 overtime win over the host Hafford Hawks.
Both teams will return to action Saturday at 8 p.m. in Shellbrook.
