Once again there were bits and pieces of strong play and success for the Battlefords North Stars, but it wasn't enough.
The tone of coach Kevin Hasselberg's voice after the game made it known there were aspects he wasn't happy with, as the North Stars fell 4-3 to the Humboldt Broncos and dropped their third straight game.
Hasselberg did compliment the effort of three young forwards in Austin Evans, Josh Betinol and Jake McMillen. The three first-year North Stars on the fourth line lead the forwards in ice time, as their strong play earned that honour. Each had a goal and Betinol and Evans had two assists each while McMillen had one.
Former list player of the Battlefords, Cody Pongracz, got the offence started, as he struck with a rebound and beat Connor Creech in the first period.
The North Stars responded seven seconds later when Evans netted his first goal of the season.
Broncos' veterans John Lawrence and Adam Antkowiak helped reclaim the lead for Humboldt, as Lawrence buried a rebound midway through the second period.
Three minutes later, on a power play, Betinol scored his fourth goal in the last three games as he fired a wrist shot through Matt Hrynkiw's five-hole. Evans and Brody Luhning drew the assists on the tying goal.
The North Stars took their first lead before the second period ended thanks to hard work and pressure in the offensive zone by the North Stars' fourth line. The puck bounced off the end boards to McMillen and he roofed a shot from in tight for his third of the season.
The North Stars' lead disappeared in the third period when Kameren Ballas wristed a point shot by a screened Creech.
The Broncos took the lead with seven minutes left, as Joey Davies battled in front of the North Stars' net and swiped the loose puck by Creech.
The North Stars were 1/5 on the power play while the Broncos were 1/3.
"We are a team that doesn't make excuses, we don't whine we don't complain," said Hasselberg after the game. "When you face adversity like this it will be easy to see who buckles down and is ready to battle and get to work."
The North Stars third straight loss had the similar feel to their other five losses on the season. Not a complete team effort for a whole 60 minutes.
"It is a team effort, we can't rely on one line," said Hasselberg. "There is some looking in the mirror that needs to happen with our veteran players and we have to show up and play hockey."
Newly named captain Robbie Newton echoed those thoughts after the game.
"We are going to face a bit of adversity right now. That happens to every team every year, but I think we have the right character guys in the room," said Newton after his first game of wearing the C on his jersey. "We need more than one line a night going and us veteran guys need to step up and lead the way."
Newton was selected by the coaches and players as captain and wearing As will be defenceman Dillon Forbes, Luhning and Austin Evans.
"It was an effort from the leadership core," said Hasselberg on the decision of the captains. "Robbie is solid kid away from the rink not only on the ice and Robbie understands his limitations and what he wants to work on."
Newton was an assistant captain last season and now, in his third year as a North Star, feels he is ready for the role of captain of the team.
"Obviously it is a huge honour for me to be named captain. It is something I prepared for last year under great leaders like (Travis) Sparrow and them. I truly believe that everyone in that room has leadership qualities that is what is going to carry our team far this year," said Newton.
The North Stars will look to snap their losing skid Friday when they host the Melfort Mustangs.
