Team awards were handed out prior to puck drop and the North Stars were at it again for their last home game of the season.
“There’s a lot of respect for each other in that dressing room, and it’s only fitting that these guys were selected by their peers for these awards … It’s just a pat on the back for everyone for the seasons they’ve had,” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said after the game. (See awards below)
The black and white came into the tilt with a perfect 6-0 record against Kindersley, looking for a win in game one of the home-and-home series while extending their winning streak to 10 games. A victory would tie them with the Melfort Mustangs for longest streak in the SJHL this season.
They did just that, earning their 42nd win of the season in a 3-0 effort. Ryan Rewerts holstered the offence of Kindersley, serving up a 24-save shutout for his third of the year.
The North Stars came out with the first quality chance of the opening period after a pair of penalties led to a four-on-four situation. In the Kindersley defensive zone, Rookie of the Year nominee, Layne Young, pick-pocketed Austin Calladine of the Klippers before driving into the slot, only to be stopped by Nathan Hargrave, keeping the game scoreless. The wrister was the Battlefords’ ninth shot to the Klippers’ one.
On the 10th shot, however, MVP nominee Igor Leonenko, broke the deadlock. A two-on-one with Rory Davidson made it 1-0 North Stars. Davidson found number 25 busting down the left wing, who corralled the puck with speed before snapping a wrister under the blocker of Hargrave for his 45th of the campaign. Ryan Rosenberg drew the second assist. The tally extended his point streak to 11 games.
After 20 minutes, the North Stars controlled the pace of play, leading in the shots department by a large margin, 20-7.
The black and white came out and opened the scoring in the middle frame after a crisp feed from Braydon Buziak. Troy Gerein started the play in the offensive zone, keeping the puck in while fighting off a pair of Kindersley defenders. He found Buziak near the left faceoff dot, who then made a perfect tape-to-tape pass to Leonenko in the slot. His 46th goal couldn’t have come any easier, as he snapped a shot into the wide open cage. 2-0 North Stars.
The Klippers came back with a flurry of shots on the power play, but Rewerts was up for the task, sprawling out in his crease to keep the goose egg on the board.
After 40 minutes of play, a ton of shots were ripped but both goaltenders stood tall. Hargrave had 32 saves while Rewerts had a perfect 18.
Thirteen minutes into the final frame, you guessed it, Leonenko put the final nail in the coffin, scoring his 47th of the season. Hats hit the ice at the Civic Centre for his second hat trick in four games. He now has nine goals during that span. Young found Coby Downs in the neutral zone before Downs played pitch and catch with Leonenko down the right wing. Number 16 fed Leonenko with space in the slot, wristing a shot under the blocker to give the North Stars a 3-0 lead. The two helpers extended Downs’ point streak to 11, and Young’s to 13.
The North Stars outshot the Klippers 43-24 in the dominant effort. The black and white go for their 11th straight win tomorrow in Kindersley, it will be the last game of the season. If momentum means anything heading into the playoffs, the Battlefords look like they have it, outscoring opponents 51 to 15 over the last 10 games.
News-Optimist THREE STARS
1. Igor Leonenko (3 G)
2. Ryan Rewerts (24-save SO)
3. Coby Downs (1 A)
TEAM AWARDS:
True North Star - Logan Nachtegaele - Courage, Commitment and Community
Humanitarian Award - Jake McMillen
Rookie of the Year - Layne Young
Most Improved Player - Taryn Kotchorek
Most Popular Player - Layne Young
Most Valuable Defenceman - Kendall Fransoo
Most Valuable Player - Igor Leonenko
