After a disappointing 4-3 loss to the Estevan Bruins at the Civic Centre Saturday night, Battlefords North Stars general manager and head coach Nate Bedford decided to go with a different approach ahead of his team’s game against the Melfort Mustangs Sunday.
“I’ve been extremely hard on our guys and I’ve probably approached things the wrong way at times,” Bedford said. “Instead of trying to tell them what to do in all areas of the ice, we just decided that we were going to not give up any odd-man rushes.
“That was the only thing we talked about during the intermissions and we only gave up four odd-man in a 60-minute game. Whenever you do something like that, you’re going to be successful and it was all about execution.
That different mindset paid off in spades at the Legends Arena in Warman as the North Stars shutout the two-time defending Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions 4-0 in the opening day of the league’s showcase tournament.
“Our guys were definitely disappointed in themselves after Saturday night,” Bedford said. “They didn’t feel like they played their best game and we didn’t play a good 60 minutes.
“They took it upon themselves to turn it around and they did just that. I’m very proud of them.”
Connor Logan had a goal and two assists to lead the way for the North Stars, who outshot the Mustangs 48-16.
Troy Gerein, Reed Delainey and Keaton Holinaty also scored for the victors while Joel Grzybowski stopped all 16 shots he faced to earn his first SJHL shutout.
The North Stars did have one negative from Sunday’s result as Layne Young left the game in the third period after a hit from behind by Mustangs defenceman Braxx George.
“He’s definitely feeling better than he did after the play,” Bedford said. “We’re not going to make any decision though on if he will play on Monday until we know he’s doing.
“He’s a tough kid and if he’s medically cleared to play he will be ready to go. However, if he has a headache of any sort, he certainly won’t be on the ice.”
Sunday’s dominant performance was a contrast from what happened on Saturday night, as the North Stars played well in times but made costly mistakes at other moments.
“We’re trying to find some chemistry here and get used to one another,” Bedford said after the game.
“We’re still trying to find what our identity is, not just as a team but for me as a coach of this team. We’re not too far off though and I think we’ll be fine.”
The North Stars fell behind 4-1 in the third period but almost clawed their way back with two late goals and had a number of chances to tie it up before the buzzer sounded.
“I know we came back, and I’m proud of that, but we just can’t throw pucks on net,” Bedford said. “We need to have some conviction out there with our shots.
Delainey paced the offence with a goal and an assist. Young and Holinaty also scored in the loss while Taryn Kotchorek made 25 saves.
Bruins forward Kaelan Holt had the best night of his SJHL career in the victory as he led the way for his team with two goals and an assist.
“He’s a year older and a year smarter,” Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said. “He got his feet wet as a rookie in the league last year and now he’s making the most of his opportunities.”
“Tonight’s win was all about guts. We’re under-skilled compared to the North Stars but our guys brought a strong work ethic all night long.”
Matt McNeil had a goal and an assist for the Bruins while Michael McChesney scored his first career SJHL goal. Nathan Alalouf turned aside 36 saves to earn the win.
The North Stars will be back in Warman on Monday for their second and final game of the SJHL showcase against the Melville Millionaires.
They will then travel on the road Saturday for a rematch with the Mustangs in Melfort.
Sunday’s SJHL recap
The only other league game at the showcase event in Warman saw a surprising result as the Melville Millionaires handed the Humboldt Broncos their first loss of the season in a 3-1 affair.
Jake Sutton, Jackson Nauss and Drew Litwin all scored in the first period for the Millionaires while Brandon Wells made 29 saves to earn the win. Tyler Kreklewich led the way up front with a pair of assists.
Stephen Wack had the lone goal for the Broncos, who had started the season on a four-game winning streak and were the last unbeaten team in the SJHL.
Garrett Mason made 26 saves in a losing effort.
Saturday’s SJHL recap
Three-point nights from Adam Dawe and Ben Duperreault helped to propel the Notre Dame Hounds to a shocking 6-2 win over the previously undefeated Melfort Mustangs in Wilcox.
Dawe scored two goals and had an assist in the game while Duperreault found the net twice and dished out two helpers. Chance Longjohn, Kaleb Dahlgren and Jacob Arsenault had the other goals for the Hounds.
Adam Hergott had a goal and an assist for the Mustangs with the other goal coming from Tyler Heidt.
In the other game, the Flin Flon Bombers got some revenge on the La Ronge Ice Wolves with a 4-3 road win, which came 24 hours after the Ice Wolves pulled of a surprising win in Flin Flon.
Kristian St. Onge potted a pair of goals for the Bombers while Brandon Lesko had a goal and an assist.
Dondre Watson had the other goal for the visitors.
The Ice Wolves’ goals came from the sticks of Nick Prouty, Tristen Elder and Craig Pejkovic.
Friday’s SJHL recap
La Ronge Ice Wolves netminder Josh Dechaine turned in one of the best performances of the season as he made 53 saves in a 4-3 overtime road win over the Flin Flon Bombers.
Tristen Elder scored the winning goal in the extra frame for the Ice Wolves, who won their first game of the season and also handed the Bombers their first loss.
Tayden Woods, who was released by the North Stars at training camp and was acquired by the Ice Wolves from the MJHL’s Winkler Flyers earlier in the week, had a goal and an assist in the win.
The Bombers were led on offence by a two-goal performance from Dondre Watson.
Melville Millionaires head coach and general manager Devin Windle earned his first win in his new role as his team picked up a 4-1 road victory over the Notre Dame Hounds.
Taylor Kreutzer scored twice for the Millionaires, who also received a 32 save performance in goal from Brandon Wells.
Ben Duperreault scored late in the third period to end Wells’ bid for a second career shutout.
The Kindersley Klippers also earned their first win of the campaign on Friday thanks a 6-3 triumph over the Estevan Bruins.
Brendan Wagner led the way up front with two goals and an assist while fellow forwards Josh Bly and Jordan Fuck had a goal and two assists each.
Jason Miller paced the offence for the Bruins with goal and an assist.
Daniel McKitrick was the hero just 47 seconds into overtime for the Humboldt Broncos as they won a 2-1 affair over the Nipawin Hawks.
Parker Wakaruk had the other goal for the Broncos while Carter Seminuk made 21 saves.
Kristian Stead made 23 saves in the loss and Michael Grant had the lone goal for the Hawks, who are the only team to win a game yet this season.
Finally, Rylan Freed had the only goal in a shootout as the Melfort Mustangs prevailed in a tightly contested 3-2 battle with the Weyburn Red Wings.
Hunter Arps, who was reassigned to the Mustangs from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings earlier in the week, was stellar in his SJHL debut as he made 38 saves to earn the victory.
Monday’s SJHL schedule (All games in Warman)
- Estevan vs. Humboldt – 11 a.m.
- Melville vs. Battlefords – 1:30 p.m.
- Nipawin vs. Yorkton – 4 p.m.
- Flin Flon vs. Weyburn – 6:30 p.m.
SJHL Standings (As of Sunday)
Finning Division
- Humboldt Broncos – 4-1-0-0 – 8 points
- Battlefords North Stars – 4-2-0-0 – 8 points
- Notre Dame Hounds – 2-3-0-0 – 4 points
- Kindersley Klippers – 1-2-0-0 – 2 points
Sherwood Division
- Flin Flon Bombers – 3-0-1-0 – 7 points
- Melfort Mustangs – 3-2-0-0 – 6 points
- Nipawin Hawks – 0-1-2-0 – 2 points
- La Ronge Ice Wolves – 1-3-0-0 – 2 points
Viterra Division
- Estevan Bruins – 3-1-0-0 – 6 points
- Weyburn Red Wings – 2-1-0-1 – 5 points
- Melville Millionaires – 2-3-0-0 – 4 points
- Yorkton Terriers – 1-2-1-0 – 3 points
