The pre-season came to an end for the Battlefords North Stars Sunday, as they finished with a 2-3 record.
The North Stars faced the Lloydminster Bobcats, Melfort Mustangs twice and finished with a home-and-home set against the Humboldt Broncos Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday at the Civic Centre, the North Stars started sluggishly against the Broncos, but some physical play in the first period may have helped to set the tone for later in the game and perhaps intimidate a young Humboldt roster.
The most aggressive player physically for the North Stars was defenceman Evan Ripley. Ripley stands out simply because of his 65? frame, but he also never passes up an opportunity to deliver a body check. Many players followed Ripley's example in the game Saturday, including his defence partner Dillon Forbes.
After a power outage in the first period, the action resumed on the ice and Humboldt skated to a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes. Connor Creech was left alone facing Humboldt shooters twice in the period. Once they capitalized on a rebound and another was an easy cross-crease pass.
The North Stars' lone first period goal came off the rush, as Brandon Long wristed a shot under Matt Hrynkiw. Long's linemates, Braeden Johnson and Josh Betinol, who had a strong game offensively, drew assists on the goal.
In the second, Long, Betinol and Johnson hooked up again, this time Johnson scored with an easy tap in on a cross-crease pass and his linemates drew the assists.
Halfway through the period, the score was tied 2-2 and both team's made goaltending changes. Michael Gudmanson replaced Creech, who faced 11 shots.
After the goalie changes, the North Stars were first to strike, as Matt Sherran scored on a power play with a point shot late in the second period. Betinol and Long picked up the assists.
In the final seconds of the period the North Stars were shorthanded, but Cody Bird broke out on a two-on-one. Bird kept the puck and shot to the top corner. He gave the North Stars the 4-2 lead with nine seconds left in the period.
After killing off the remainder of the penalty in the third period, the North Stars increased their lead a short time later. Blake Young was alone in the slot and fired a good wrist shot inside the post making in 5-2. Thanks to a good forechecking, Young was set up by Jake McMillen and Forbes.
McMillen got in on the scoring later in the period, as he jumped on a loose puck. Young and Carter Danczak drew the assists on the goal.
The Stars' seventh goal came after Bird intercepted a clearing attempt inside the Broncos' blue-line. Bird made a few moves and sent a pass to Young who made no mistake for his second goal of the game.
Humboldt scored on a point shot later in the period, the only shot to beat Gudmandson and the game ended 7-3.
Young, Long and Betinol each earned three points and had great games. Johnson also played well Saturday, but he played only about half the game, as he took a high stick in the second period and was cut in the mouth for stitches along with losing a tooth.
The next night in Humboldt, the North Stars led 2-1 after the first period, as Luke McColgan and Dylan Skakatch scored.
The North Stars carried a 3-2 lead into the third period after another goal by Sakatch. A bad stretch in the third period put the North Stars behind. The game ended 6-4, as Roger Tagoona had the other goal for the North Stars.
Now the final cuts will be made and the opening day roster will be introduced Wednesday at the North Stars' breakfast. Coach Hasselberg has some interesting and difficult decisions to make. He has to factor in the import rule, number of 20-year-olds he wants to carry and also has a handful of players sitting in the stands who were injured during pre-season or training camp.
