NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Battlefords North Stars have grabbed a 2-0 series lead in their SJHL quarter-final series against the Flin Flon Bombers, thanks to a 4-2 win Saturday at home.
The series now shifts to the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon with the North Stars in command, putting together two strong performances backstopped by goaltender Michael Harroch. Harroch had stopped 47 shots in a 7-3 North Stars win the night before. As was the case in game one on Friday night, the Bombers again led in shots 33-31, but Harroch came through stopping all but two of the Bombers shots.
The game was also a strong outing for Jake Southgate. He scored the first two North Stars goals of the game in the first period, one unassisted at the 5:53 mark and then again at 8:53 on the power play, with Ryland McNinch and Colby Bear assisting.
Jacob Vockler drew the Bombers within one before the end of the first period, but the second period saw the North Stars extend their margin with goals from Dace Prymak and Steven Kesslering unassisted, the latter goal coming on the power play.
That would be all the North Stars would need. Flin Flon did get a late goal from Rylan Thiessen on the power play but that would be all they could get.
The best-of-seven series now shifts to Flin Flon for game three Tuesday night and game four Wednesday night. Game five, if necessary, is back in North Battleford Friday, March 25.
