Your Battlefords North Stars travelled to Humboldt for an interdivision bout against the last place Broncos.
Coming into tonight’s tilt, the black and white were undefeated in three games while outscoring the Broncos 16-2 this year.
They made it a perfect 4-0 record while adding to Humboldt’s league worst 102 goals against with a 4-2 win.
After going 5/10 on their power play two nights ago, Igor Leonenko and the North Stars answered the bell yet again in the opening frame. With just under five minutes left, number 25 placed himself south of the hash-mark on the right wing, which has been his spot to lurk on the man advantage. He blasted home his 17th of the season with the help of Jake McMillen and Layne Young.
Headed into the second the North Stars were up one, but could have been much more if it weren’t for the play of Broncos goalie Billy Gorn and the post, in which they had hit three.
Midway through the middle period it was Dustin Gorgi finally solving Gorn and the goalies best friend with a drag wrist shot from the slot. His wrister beat the Broncos netminder just under the glove to give the North Stars a 2-0 lead. Layne Young, fresh off of his Canada West tryout selection, registered his second point. Jordan Wiest had the second helper.
In the final 20 minutes Humboldt wouldn’t back down. Three minutes in Brayden Uhrich scored his first of the season with Daniel McKitrick registering the assist.
Five minutes later it was the big stay-at-home defenceman, Kendall Fransoo, scoring his second of the campaign. The tally marked a career high in goals and points, matching his production in the last two seasons combined. That’s all part in being a defensive gem.
“He’s a simple player,” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said. “He was on the ice to shut the team down and he scores the game winner. It’s a big reason why he’s our captain.”
Igor Leonenko made it a three goal advantage while slicing down the right wing trying to make a centering pass, instead hitting it off the back leg of Gorn and into the back of the net, giving him 18 on the campaign.
“Tip of the hat to Humboldt for not throwing in the towel down 4-1, they really pressured us,” Hasselberg said.
The Broncos came back with a goal of their own with Tristan Hermanson scoring his first, but would not get any closer after pulling their netminder.
Leonenko finished the game with two goals, making it four in his last two games.
“It’s fun to watch and hopefully his performance this year translates into something special for him,” Hasselberg said of the first line forward, who is in his final year.
Tonight the power play lit the lamp one more time, giving them nine straight games with a goal on the man advantage.
On the other side of the puck, their penalty kill got back on track going a perfect 4/4, something the team has been working on stabilizing.
With the win, North Stars goaltender Taryn Kotchorek has still yet to lose a game in regulation, going a perfect 8-0-1-2, accompanied by a .926 save percentage.
The North Stars are in Kindersley tomorrow to take on their rival and second place Klippers. It’s another Finning Division matchup. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
News-Optimist THREE STARS
1) Igor Leonenko (2 G)
2) Layne Young (2 A)
3) Kendall Fransoo (1 G)
