Last time the North Stars travelled to Flin Flon they found themselves on the wrong end of an 8-4 landslide.
Tonight the Battlefords made the long drive to Manitoba and were confronted with some challenges yet again from the last place team in the Sherwood Division.
Rochester Institute of Technology committee Reed Delainey buried his eighth of the season in the first, giving the black and white a 1-0 lead only sixty-three seconds into the game.
The Bombers came back with three unanswered in the first period, taking a commanding 3-1 lead and outshooting the North Stars 17-13.
In the middle frame the ice started to tilt in favour of the Battlefords. Just like they have done all season long, the top team in the SJHL woke up, at one point putting 11 shots on net before Flin Flon could make their way into the offensive zone.
Seven minutes in it was Tanner Nagel who found himself all alone in front of the net in result of a Bombers missed assignment. Ryan Rosenberg made use of the opportunity, feeding him the puck in the slot, where Nagel deposited it into the back of the net, just under the blocker of goaltender Zac Robidoux. The mark was Nagel's sixth of the season.
Late in the second Rory Davidson made a difference in his first game as a member of the North Stars. Busting down the right wing and putting a shot on net gave speedster Jordan Townsend the chance to pick up the rebound and tie the game up at three.
Joel Kocur took exception; scoring his 13th of the season three minutes later giving Flin Flon a 4-3 advantage.
In the final frame the North Stars continued to press. Flin Flon took back-to-back undisciplined penalties, leading to a five-on-three power play goal from Igor Leonenko. Reed Delainey registered his second point of the night with the helper to send it to overtime.
Jason Lavallee made sure the game didn’t slip away from the Bombers, capitalizing on another power play opportunity on a Connor Sych penalty, putting the game away.
Despite the loss, the North Stars have now registered a point in six straight games and have not lost in regulation since November 5th.
The third best power play in the SJHL didn’t show up tonight, going 1/10 on their opportunities. On the other side of the stick the penalty kill didn’t fair much better, allowing three goals on five attempts.
“That was the biggest difference to me,” Head Coach Kevin Hasselberg said after the game. “Tomorrow we will make a couple of adjustments with our puck management, and obviously some adjusting on our special teams.”
Rory Davidson, who was traded from the Dauphin Kings, had an assist in his first game for the black and white, earning some compliments from his coach.
“He brings energy and enthusiasm, he used his strengths and played to his ability. Once he gets used to the program he’s going to fit in right away.”
The North Stars play their second of back-to-back games against the Bombers tomorrow night. 7:30 pm puck drop.
