With the season winding down, the North Stars were looking to widen the gap on first place with five games remaining. As it stands, they are three points ahead of Melfort and Weyburn with one game in hand after a 6-3 victory tonight. Every point counts, and the Battlefords have been cashing in their last six games. The black and white have played great on both sides of the puck against the Broncos, outscoring them 26-2 in the season series ahead of their clash in Humboldt.
Ryan Rewerts stood tall on the defensive side, stopping 17 of 20 shots for his 19th win of the season.
The North Stars controlled play in the first, scoring two unanswered before the tilt was ten minutes old.
Coby Downs tallied his 27th of the year just 44 seconds after puck drop. Connor Sych corralled the puck at the blue-line before his drag shot changed directions, deflecting off the stick of Downs, beating Ryan LaRochelle. With the mark, Downs now has a seven-game point streak dating back to Jan. 27.
Speed kills for the North Stars’ Rory Davidson, who used his legs to score a shorthanded mark midway through the first period. Layne Young found the speedster busting down the middle of the neutral zone, who then cut the defence in half before putting on a forehand, backhand move to score his fourth of the season. Kendall Fransoo made the initial pass to jump start the play.
“His speed is dynamic, it’s fun to watch and he brings people out of their seats. We are very fortunate to have “Davey” and he certainly evens up the odds when we are down a man killing a penalty. His speed has to be respected and he showed you why.” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said after the game.
The opening frame was a tale of different halves, as Humboldt scored two unanswered to tie the game at two before the buzzer. Daniel McKitrick continued his successful season, scoring his 20th and 21st of the campaign. Andrew Thompson narrowly stayed onside on a play that beat Rewerts to bring Humboldt right back into the game.
After one period of play the score was tied 2-2, while the Battlefords led the shots department 20-8.
The most offensive team in the league certainly looked like it in the middle stanza, coming back with three goals, and two unanswered of their own just a minute apart.
A power play tally made it a 3-2 game in the North Stars favour. LaRochelle stopped a Reed Delainey shot after cutting into the slot from the right wing. Dustin Gorgi followed up on the play and was able to jam the puck through the body armour of the netminder for his 26th of the year. Igor Leonenko registered the second assist and now has a seven-game point streak.
Leonenko wouldn’t be finished with just an assist, though. Logan Schatz missed an open cage, and the North Stars made him pay for it, scoring in transition. Number 25 busted down the right wing before sliding the puck through the wickets of LaRochelle for his 37th of the campaign. The Broncos netminder opened his five-hole for just a split second, but it was enough time for Leonenko to expose him, giving the North Stars a 4-2 lead.
He was at it again with his third point of the tilt and second goal of the night. Conor Jensen snapped a wrist shot towards the net and Leonenko was able to tip it across the goal line, making it 5-2 with seven minutes left in the middle frame. Cody Spagrud registered the second helper. The goal was the second deflection of the night and Coach Hasselberg understands why they are tipping the puck into the back of the net with so much success.
“It’s funny, our guys have a little game going before practices get started. They all line up and take turns in front of the net deflecting shots. It seems to be working.”
The Broncos didn’t throw in the towel, as Schatz scored his 11th on the power play with 30 seconds left in the middle frame. After cutting into the heart of the offensive zone, Schatz wristed a shot on net. Rewerts made the initial stop but couldn’t find the rebound. The forward jumped on it to make it 5-3. Trevor Posch and Andrew McCann collaborated on the goal.
North Stars outshot the Broncos 38-17 as they moved into the final 20 minutes.
The Battlefords continued to control the pace of play, with Braydon Buziak scoring his first goal in ten games, intercepting a Broncos pass from inside their own zone.
Chris Van Os-Shaw has been so effective for the Broncos this season, but a rare giveaway from the forward led to a three-goal deficit for Humboldt, and an insurmountable comeback. Buziak intercepted the puck and cut to the net where he exhibited great patience, outwaiting LaRochelle before depositing the puck far side for his sixth of the campaign. 6-3 North Stars.
The Battlefords now look forward to a two-game series against Flin Flon, a team that has had their number thus far this season, losing all four games to them this year. A rare feat for the first place team in the SJHL.
“This is our weekend to certainly try and prove that we belong [in first place] … They have a lot of tools in their tool box. It’s going to take an entire team effort.” Hasselberg said.
Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday will be pink in the rink night as the Battlefords go for seven straight wins. The North Stars will be wearing pink jerseys for bullying awareness and will be auctioned off after the game. All fans are encouraged to wear as much pink as they can.
