After joining his third junior team this season, Jordan Ethier appears to be hitting his stride with the Battlefords North Stars, as he now has three points in four games.
Ethier played on a line with Brett Miller and Blake Tatchell Saturday night against Weyburn and made the most of that opportunity scoring the game's first goal and later adding the game-winning goal in the third period. Braeden Johnson didn't play Sautrday after suffering an injury last week.
After a strong start by the North Stars, Ethier netted his first with the club just 28 seconds into the game. Tatchell drew the lone assist on the goal.
The North Stars maintained the pace and eight minutes later, Tim Rollins scored his 12th of the season after a good forecheck from Robbie Newton created a turnover and the scoring chance.
Weyburn responded in the first period when Jesse Ross deflected a point shot by Connor Creech.
After the first period ended 2-1, the North Stars came out strong early in the second, but Brett Teskey made several big saves to keep Weyburn within one goal.
Tanner Schwab eventually increased the North Stars' lead, as he had a quick release in the slot and beat Teskey. Roger Tagoona and Robbie Newton had the assists on Schwab's 10th of the season.
Weyburn drew even before the end of the second period. First it was Jordon Hoffman scoring on the power play after nearly a minute of controlled pressure in the North Stars' zone. Lane Harbor tied the game a minute later with a wrist shot that hit the bar and went in.
After 40 minutes nothing was settled. The North Stars took the lead with four minutes remaining in the third period. Ethier took a pass from Miller off the rush and slid the puck between Teskey's legs. Tatchell also had an assist on the game-winning goal and added an empty net marker for his 33rd goal of the season and third point of the game. Schwab and Newton had the assists on the final goal, which gave the North Stars the 5-3 win.
Creech made 21 saves for his 12th win of the season. The victory makes it two in row for the North Stars, who sit in the second spot in the Bauer Conference behind Humboldt. The Broncos are three points up on the North Stars, but have played three more games.
"It is s big confidence booster for us," said Matt Sheeran, who played in just his second game in 10 months. "Especially after the beginning of Christmas break there having the four losses it feels good to get back in the win column and I think everyone will enjoy this win tonight and get back to work Monday."
Back to work it will be, not only on the ice, but off it as well. The SJHL trade deadline was Tuesday night and coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg likely made some phone calls to see what if any transactions would be possible to improve the hockey club.
"It is always tough to say, you might think that there's nothing that is going to happen and then all of the sudden two teams pull off a blockbuster," said Hasselberg after Saturday's game. "I think there is a lot of discussion happening out there right now and you can probably expect to see some bodies moved. We have an opportunity to improve our roster moving forward here, obviously we have some special players in that dressing room that don't come around every day."
Hasselberg has already made some transactions of note adding Tagoona earlier in the season and the most recent move of bringing in Ethier.
"He is going through an adjustment period," said Hasselberg of Ethier. "It is his third team this year that is over 60 new faces he has had to adjust to. He has adjusted well. He is definitely one of the guys in that dressing room. Moving forward here we are expecting more offensive production from him and tonight was a good indication that he is capable of doing it."
Sheeran, the other 'new' player in the lineup has played two games now and says he is getting more comfortable with his role on the team.
"Everything feels good, it feels good to be back actually competing and participating with the team," said Sheeran. "It is a real honour, I really have Kevin to thank for that. He brought me out before I could even play so he must have seen something."
Following the trade deadline, the North Stars will focus on the final 17 games of the regular season and be in action Friday at home to Nipawin.
The weekend will also be parents' weekend for the North Stars, as the players' parents will be introduced on the ice Friday. A supper and auction will be held Saturday at the Civic Centre.
