The Battlefords North Stars continued their momentum from November into December, coming from two goals down in the third period to beat the Mustangs 3-2 in Melfort Wednesday night.
North Stars' captain Kyle Schmidt had a goal and an assist to lead the comeback in the third.
Despite the North Stars controlling play early in the first period, Melfort opened the scoring three minutes into the opening period.
Mustangs' centre Jamie Miller capitalized on a turnover by North Stars' defenseman Dillon Forbes. Miller stripped Forbes and picked the top corner over Battlefords' goaltender Michael Gudmandson's blocker to open the scoring.
Melfort stayed on the attack and eventually extended their lead halfway through the first. Gudmandson stopped Brandon Sloan's shot, but North Stars' defenseman Kendall Fransoo knocked the puck into his own net. Sloan was credited with his 11th goal of the season.
There was not much flow to the game in the second period due to nine minor penalties being called between the two teams. North Stars' winger Nick Fountain had a chance to cut the lead in half when he stole the puck in tight, but was unable to beat Mustangs' goalie Austin Rediron.
The North Stars had over three minutes of power play time at the end of the period to try to break the shut out, but did not generate many meaningful chances on net.
Batlefords came out strong in the third period. Regan Yew cut the lead to 2-1 when he deflected Braden Lacoursiere's point shot past Rediron. The North Stars tied the game about a minute later. Blake Young took a beautiful stretch pass from Kyle Schmidt and snapped the puck above Rediron's glove.
Melfort used their timeout after Young's goal and turned the pressure up on the North Stars. But Sloan's boarding penalty derailed the Mustangs' momentum.
The North Stars used the power play to take the lead. Schmidt's point shot found its way through traffic and beat Rediron on the glove side again.
Melfort's chances to tie the game were limited when Sheldon Argent was sent off for kneeing with 2:33 left in the third. The Mustangs were not able to put any pressure on Gudmandson with their goalie pulled.
Gudmandson made 29 saves for the undermanned North Stars. The team was without five regular players, forcing them to call up 15-year-old Chris Young from the Midget AA Barons. Rediron stopped 28 shots in a losing effort for the Mustangs.
The North Stars play the Weyburn Red Wings Saturday night at the Civic Centre. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. They also play at home Sunday against the La Ronge Ice Wolves at an early start time of 5:30 p.m.
