A four-goal second-period deficit was too much for the Battlefords North Stars to overcome in their home contest Friday against Notre Dame Hounds.
The Hounds won 5-3, despite a strong third period for the North Stars who ultimately outshot them in the game 36-20. The Hounds' early lead was simply too much for the North Stars to overcome.
The fifth Hounds goal was enough to chase goaltender Joel Grzybowski out of the net, replaced by Adam Dmyterko the rest of the way. Grzybowski had just returned to the team after a brief call-up by Victoria Royals of the WHL.
The game was played on "retro jersey night," with the North Stars wore the retro colours of the Battlefords Barons, the name of the franchise during its first decade of existence; the game jerseys were later auctioned off. This also marks alumni weekend for the team with a free skate happening today at 2pm at the Civic Centre.
Penalties were a big reason why the North Stars got in an early hole Friday. The first Notre Dame goal was from Kyle Robinson on the power play, with the North Stars' MacGregor Sinclair in the box for high sticking.
Tanner Tarbell made it 2-0 and then Nolan Renwick scored on the power play late in the period. At the end of the first the scoreboard read 3-0, prompting one fan to remark "it's a pretty boring game."
It got more interesting in the second period, but not much better for the North Stars as the Hounds' Charles Martin added to the misery with his goal 35 seconds into the second period.
Owen Lamb finally got the North Stars on the board at the 1:07 mark, but then Jared Hamm's goal seconds later made it 5-1 Hounds. That prompted head coach Brayden Klimosko to bring out the hook for Grzybowski, who had only stopped 7 of 12 shots.
The frustration continued when what looked like a North Stars goal was called "no goal." That was followed up by a fight: Braydon Buziak and Cole Stevenson both took major fighting and game misconduct penalties.
The North Stars finally settled down after that. They got goals by Sinclair shorthanded later on in the second, and then by Cody Spagrud seven minutes into the third.
The North Stars dominated in shots in the third period, overwhelming the Hounds 17 to 3. Despite a valiant effort in the third period, a comeback win was not in the cards.
Hounds goalie Andrew Henderson stopped 33 of 36 shots in the win; he also managed to get an assist on the goal by Renwick. Adam Dmyterko stopped all eight shots fired his way after coming in in relief.
The North Stars have now dropped two straight against division opponents. They now try to get back in the win column tonight against another divisional rival, Humboldt, in their first visit to the Civic Centre this season. Game time is 7:30pm.
