The situation is simple for the Battlefords North Stars after a 4-1 loss to the Brooks Bandits Tuesday at the Western Canada Cup in Penticton, B.C.
A win over the British Columbia Hockey League’s Chilliwack Chiefs Thursday at 3 p.m. Saskatchewan time will give the North Stars a chance to make it in the playoffs Saturday.
If they fall to the Chiefs, the 2016-17 campaign for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions will come to an end, as they currently sit at the bottom of the five-team field with a 0-2-1 record and a single point.
“We need to play tougher than we have so far, as we’ve been nowhere near the level that we need to be at,” North Stars head coach and general manager Nate Bedford said. “It was a very similar performance to our first two games (against Penticton and Portage) with a similar result.
“We need to find a way to be better against Chilliwack and hopefully we can get a few breaks here when it comes to other teams winning games in order to have a shot at the playoffs.”
Unlike their first two games of the tournament, the North Stars found themselves in a hole early as the Bandits jumped out to a 2-0 lead after almost seven minutes of play.
That margin could have been worse if not for a great five-minute penalty kill for the North Stars later in the opening frame, as Jared Blaquiere was given a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct after a hit on Conner Jean.
The North Stars penalty kill was one of the biggest positives out of their loss, as they held the Bandits’ potent power play off of the score sheet on their five opportunities.
“The guys were playing with desperation out there and I would love to see that all through our lineup,” Bedford said.
“The penalties that we took today we’re terrible. If we don’t kill them off, it could have been a 12-0 game instead of 4-1.”
Although the North Stars did get a power play goal from Keaton Holinaty in the second period, it was another struggle for the team on the man advantage as they went one-for-nine against the Alberta Junior Hockey League champions.
Through three round-robin games, the North Stars have only scored once in 18 power play opportunities.
“I’m going to see if we can start declining penalties,” Bedford said. “You can’t play on the outside like we did and hope that things happen.
“Hockey is a tough game and we have to play tough out there. We’re turning pucks over right now because we don’t want to play in the tough areas.”
Joel Grzybowski played well once again for the North Stars as he made 29 saves in the loss.
The Bandits, who have clinched a playoff spot and have a 3-0 record so far this week, were led on offence by a three assist performance from Josh McKechney.
Oliver Chau and Jean each had a goal and an assist, while Arnaud Vachon and Parker Foo also found the back of the net.
Mitchel Benson turned aside 19 shots to earn the victory.
Tuesday's other game saw the Chiefs move into second place in the standings on six points as they improved to 2-1 with a 4-2 win over the tournament host Penticton Vees in a rematch of the BCHL final that the Vees won in seven games.
Will Calverly potted home a pair of goals for the Chiefs, while Anthony Vincent had a goal and an assist.
Justin Dixson also scored in the victory and goaltender Mark Sinclair made 29 saves, with 15 of them coming in the third period.
Duncan Campbell and Taylor Ward each found the back of the net for the Vees, who have a 1-1-1 record and are tied with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Portage Terriers for third place in the standings with three points.
Netminder Mathew Robson turned aside 19 shots in the loss.
The Terriers, who have a 1-1 record and had the day off Tuesday, will be back in action Wednesday night to take on the Bandits at 8 p.m. Saskatchewan time.
