Layne Young proved to be the hero in overtime. The rookie sprung himself for a breakaway before going forehand-backhand, beating Jack Burgart and completing the comeback for the North Stars, 3-2.
The Battlefords have had their difficulties this season against the best defensive team in the SJHL, winning just one game out of five in regulation before tonight.
One of the newest changes to the North Stars defence, however, was Tyler Fuhr, who made his debut for the black and white in the crease. He had a solid night in between the pipes, stopping 29 of 31 shots, winning his 15th of the campaign.
“It was fun to watch Tyler in the net. Coming into a new dressing room with new players, he met the guys for the first time today,” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said after the game of his new goalie. “You could see his veteran junior career coming to light. He was like a third defenceman out there for us.”
Neither teams were able to get the job done in the first after a scoreless 20 minutes. Weyburn had a quality chance on the power play from Braden Mellon, but his shot hit the side of the twine.
The Red Wings got on the board late in the middle period. After making the initial save, Fuhr kicked out a small rebound that Jacob Wozney picked up, delivering a shot into the back of the net for his sixth of the year.
Not to be outdone, Dustin Gorgi scored his third in two games after crashing hard to the crease, tying the game three minutes later. A hard shot from Young was kicked away by Jack Burgart and onto the stick of Gorgi, who scored his 20th. Coby Downs registered the second assist, extending his point streak to four games, but the California native wasn’t done there.
Fuhr was tested early and often in the second frame, stopping two breakaways to keep the North Stars in the game.
Aidan Teilborg finally solved the newly acquired goaltender, scoring his 17th while receiving a pass from Drake Glover.
A great defensive effort from the Red Wings wouldn’t be enough in the final 20 minutes. Downs brought the North Stars back with seven minutes left. Number 16 drove to the net and took his own rebound, after his original backhand shot was stopped, he found the puck once again and beat Burgart for his 20th of the season. He now has 14 points in his last eight games.
“That line was flying. They were generating a ton of offence for us. Every night it’s a different line and tonight it was their turn,” Hasselberg said.
60 minutes later, this game was headed to overtime, where the rookie scored his 16th.
“The Weyburn Red Wings are a very difficult team to play against. They may have no prolific scorers, but they are a very structured and disciplined team that forces you to play their style of game,” said Hasselberg.
The North Stars now travel to Wadena to play the Notre Dame Hounds for Hockey Night in Saskatchewan. They will be hitting the ice with 30 kids from the Initiation hockey program.
“It’s what giving back is all about,” Hasselberg continued, “hopefully one day those kids will be playing Junior A hockey or maybe win a Stanley Cup.”
Puck drop is 7:30pm.
