The Battlefords North Stars are the team to beat in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, but they simply refuse to lose.
The North Stars won their ninth straight game Saturday night with a 2-1 victory at home against the Humboldt Broncos.
After nearly a week without a game, the North Stars didn't have the start they were looking for, but they did battle in a physical first period coming away with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Brody Luhning fired a slap shot from the point that hit a Humboldt penalty killer's stick and was redirected by Deven Dubyk. Luhning's third of the season was assisted by his defence partner Zach MacLellan.
After being out shot 9-2 nine minutes in, Graham Hildebrand gave the North Stars a chance to get their legs under them and carry some momentum into the second period.
Two minutes into the second period, Brett Miller streaked down the wing and backhanded a pass to the front of the net where Tanner Schwab chipped in his sixth goal of the season.
Humboldt responded later in the second period, as Andrew Johnston lifted a rebound over Hildebrand's glove.
The third period saw more strong play from Hildebrand and his defence, as the North Stars killed off a penalty and held on for the win.
Hildebrand made 27 saves in the win.
"We competed," said head coach Kevin Hasselberg. "We felt we had a slow puck start to the first period. Obviously after a week off that could have been expected and certainly is something we will learn from, but the guys got their legs under them in the second period and we really feel we shut them down in the third, and played solid team defence and a team game."
That team game resulted in the ninth straight win for the North Stars, who have allowed one goal or less in eight games this season.
"Obviously, they are a really good team and they have some really talented forwards, but we came ready to go tonight," said North Stars' captain Travis Sparrow. "Every line was going, our D was awesome tonight and that goes for Hildy, too. He was outstanding for us tonight."
Hildebrand improved to 9-3-0-0 this season and has a 2.40 goals against average, which is third in league behind Kindersley's Fraser Abdallaph and Connor Creech who has a league best 2.27 mark. Hildebrand leads the league with a .925 save percentage, while Creech is third in the league rankings.
"We need those guys (goalies Hildebrand and Creech) to make the saves," said Hasselberg. "We have been fortunate right now - when there is a time for them to make a big save they are making those for us. Graham has been playing solid for us as has Creech and it is definitely a comforting feeling knowing you have a wall up back there."
Aside from the outstanding goaltending, captain Sparrow feels there is another major reason for the team's success.
"I just think it is our character," said Sparrow. "Everyone in the room is coming together this year. It just can't get any better right now, we are on a high. I guess we just have to keep doing the little things right and that is the big difference."
True the team is hot and Saturday's game was the largest crowd this season at 957, but the North Stars received news Monday things could get even better in the near future. Defenceman Woody Klassen has been released from the East Coast Hockey League's Greenville Road Warriors and will be returning to the Battlefords North Stars.
Klassen didn't play a game with the North Stars despite being at training camp from the beginning, in preparation for and anticipation of playing in the ECHL. After being placed on the 21-day injured reserve list because of salary and roster numbers, Klassen was released.
Last season, Klassen was sixth on the team in points with 36 in 58 games and was in the top 10 in defenceman points in the SJHL.
Klassen could be in the lineup as soon as Tuesday night's game and should be a big boost to the defence core, especially on the power play.
The North Stars will look to continue their hot streak and improve on their 15-4-0-1 record, as they hosted Flin Flon Tuesday for the time this season.
The next action for the North Stars will be Thursday when they entertain the Yorkton Terriers at the Civic Centre.
The North Stars also made a roster move Friday. The North Stars traded the rights to goaltender Blake Voth to the Melville Millionaires for 1992-born forward Roger Tagoona.
Tagoona was third in points in Melville last season with 13 goals and 27 assists in 57 games and this season has two goals and an assist in 15 games.
Voth was acquired as the future consideration for the Dane Muench, who was traded to the Vernon Vipers last season. Voth was currently playing in the United States Hockey League with the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
