The Battlefords had a chance to earn their fourth straight victory and stay perfect in 2016 Friday night at the Civic Centre.
The black and white were up for the task.
Coming into the tilt the North Stars were 2-0, outscoring the Millionaires 12-7 on the season. They added to the fire, winning 4-1 while outshooting Melville 34-21 and remaining undefeated.
The best offensive team in the province got off to a hot start, registering nine shots on net before Melville was able to find the body armour of Ryan Rewerts. Layne Young, usually known for his passing prowess, started the scoring in the first after busting down the left wing, shorthanded. Finding a pass from Kendall Fransoo, Young was able to go short side from an awkward angle, beating Brandon Wells over the blocker. It was all North Stars in the opening frame, applying the pressure and dominating puck possession, leading to an advantage on the scoreboard and in the shots department, 10-4.
The narrative would change come the second period. A missed assignment led to Keegan Milligan being all alone in the slot while taking a pass from Tyler Kreklewich and sliding the puck under the pads of Rewerts to tie the game at one. The goal was Milligan’s sixth of the season. Liam Shaw registered the second assist.
One of the things that the Millionaires were doing well throughout the halfway point of the game was staying out of the box. But, when Brandon Griffiths was called for slashing for their first penalty of the night, Jake McMillen and the North Stars capitalized, tipping home a shot from Reed Delainey. Igor Leonenko found the score sheet with the second assist.
With under a minute left in the middle frame it was Jordan Wiest flying off the bench, putting his entire body into a bomb of a slap shot, slipping through the wickets of Wells for his fifth of the year. It was his first goal in 22 games for the big defensive defenceman. After two, the North Stars more than doubled Melville in shots with 23 to their nine.
An injury to Wells allowed backup goaltender Clarke Flegel to come in for relief duties to start the final 20 minutes. He would fare well, stopping all ten shots in the period. Grinder Rory Davidson put the icing on the cake late in the third with an empty net tally for his first goal with the Battlefords North Stars. A well deserved notch for a player that has been a constant force on the ice since being acquired from the Dauphin Kings. He is noted as a forward who can shut down the opposing team’s top line, but hopefully this goal gets the monkey off his back for good.
“I certainly envisioned Rory’s first goal as a North Star a little differently than that but we will take it. It’s been a long time coming, he’s been around the net for weeks now and has certainly led the charge in regards to determination and work ethic.” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said of his forward after the game.
The special teams for the North Stars had a solid night, killing off five of five penalties and scoring a power play goal on two chances.
Rewerts had yet another great game in between the pipes for the black and white, winning all three of his last starts. He made 20 saves in the effort.
“You can see Ryan’s confidence coming back. He’s earned it and I certainly like the direction he’s going.” Hasselberg said.
The North Stars will host the (20-16-0-2) Estevan Bruins tomorrow night at the Civic Centre.
News-Optimist THREE STARS
1) Jake McMillen - GWG
2) Ryan Rewerts - 20 SVs
3) Rory Davidson - 1 G
