Fans may ask, what does it take to win seven straight games?
The simple answer would be timely scoring, good goaltending, team chemistry and maybe a little luck.
The Battlefords North Stars didn't have to use up any luck Friday night, as they hosted the Notre Dame Hounds at the Civic Centre. The North Stars were the better team from start to finish and earned their seventh straight win and 16th win in their last 18 games.
The Hounds attempted to play a defensive style in the first period and it worked for the most part, as the North Stars were a bit flat to start the game, but the Hounds weren't able to shut down Blake Tatchell, something most teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League haven't been able to figure out either. Tatchell scored his 25th of the season from Brett Miller and Braeden Johnson on the power play just as the first period buzzer sounded.
In the second, the North Stars tallied three goals. Tanner Quinn scored his fourth of the season and Travis Sparrow and Jake Daughtry were awarded the assists. Minutes later, Roger Tagoona scored his second goal as a North Star from Woody Klassen and Zach MacLellan on the power play.
Klassen capped off the second period scoring with his fourth of the season with a power play goal from Brody Luhning and Johnson.
Carson Grolla scored for the Hounds in the second period and the North Stars led 4-1 heading into the third.
The North Stars added some insurance in the third period, as Klassen scored his second of the game on a power play and Kyle Hall netted his sixth of the season from Tanner Schwab and Tagoona.
The North Stars out shot the Hounds 37-17, as Connor Creech earned his ninth win of the season. Blair Mahon served as the backup goalie for Friday's game, as Graham Hildebrand was sick, but he was expected to be ready to suit up for Tuesday's game.
The North Stars special teams were great Friday, as they were 4/7 on the power play and killed all six shorthanded situations, something the 960 fans would've gone home from the Civic Centre impressed with.
The Battlefords looked to continue their streak Tuesday against Estevan. They beat the Bruins 4-1 in their only meeting this season. The Bruins are 16-12-0-1 while the North Stars remain on top of the SJHL standings with a 22-5-0-2 record.
The next action for the North Stars is a three-game road trip to Melville, Yorkton and Melfort Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
