The Kindersley Klippers are having a hard time trying to score on Battlefords North Stars netminder Taryn Kotchorek.
As a result of a 5-0 win for the North Stars at the Civic Centre Tuesday night, all three of Kotchorek’s shutouts this year have come against the Klippers.
In fact, five of his 12 career shutouts have occurred when the two sides play one other.
“I don’t think there’s a secret to that happening or anything like that,” Kotchorek smiled after the game.
“We have a pretty good record against them and in games like this one, our guys do a really good job of shutting down their opportunities.”
The North Stars defence did an excellent job of limiting the Klippers’ offensive chances Tuesday night, as the visitors were limited to 19 shots on goal.
Although he wasn’t challenged often, Kotchorek made the big saves when he was called upon, with his best coming on a second period power play as he came across the crease to rob Brody Ryberg.
“We always had a guy up high so we were able to limit their odd-man rushes,” Kotchorek said. “We never really gave them chances and all of our skaters did a great job of forcing them to take a lot of outside shots, which makes things a lot easier for me.”
Up front, the North Stars had a well-balanced offensive attack as they fired 48 shots at the Klippers net.
Captain Layne Young had a pair of assists to increase his Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League leading point total to 82, while Cole Johnson and Garan Magnes had a goal and an assist each.
“Everybody bought in tonight from the bottom up, and when we do that we have a good chance of coming away with the win,” said Johnson, who now has 11 goals in nine games since being acquired from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats at the trade deadline.
“This was probably our best team performance since I’ve been here and that’s what we need to keep doing in order to have a long playoff run.”
Conor Jensen, Keith Anderson and Brad Girard also scored for the North Stars, who improved their record to 33-8-2-0 for the season.
Justen Close got the start in goal for the Klippers and made 30 saves before being pulled after allowing four goals in 40 minutes of play.
Zach Johnson made his SJHL debut in the third period and stopped 13 shots for the visitors, who now have an 18-18-3-2 record.
Tuesday’s triumph for the North Stars marked the start of a seven game home stand for the team, which will continue Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Estevan Bruins.
The Melville Millionaires will come to town Saturday and the La Ronge Ice Wolves will visit the Civic Centre Tuesday, with both games also starting at 7:30 p.m.
