There is no doubt every team at this point in the hockey season has their fair share of injuries and bumps and bruises to deal with. The Battlefords North Stars, have slipped into a three-game losing streak and fourth place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Bauer Conference after the injury bug has bit their lineup.
The North Stars played twice on the weekend and were hoping to make up some ground on the Nipawin Hawks.
The North Stars had a solid effort throughout the weekend, but an incomplete 60-minute game Friday and defensive breakdowns Saturday led to the North Stars falling 2-1 to Melville and 4-2 to Flin Flon at the Civic Centre.
The North Stars, who were likely undersized in both games with Melville and Flin Flon, were the more physical team, but couldn't translate that into a win.
"Tonight we decided we wanted to play run and gun with a highly offensive team and it bit us in the butt," said North Stars head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg after Saturday's game.
Saturday, Flin Flon went up 2-0 after Brett Boehm scored on a breakaway and Jason Wark scored on a two-on-one rush.
After giving up those goals and other odd man rushes early in the game, Hasselberg called timeout to try to refocus his team.
A minute after the timeout, the Bombers hit the crossbar behind Connor Creech, but the puck stayed out.
The next shift, Josh Betinol chipped a rebound in after an Evan Ripley point shot was stopped by Flin Flon's Devin Buffalo. The goal was Betinol's 13th of the season.
"I'm pleased with the response, but at the same time we have to be able to take control of hockey games," said Hasselberg after his team failed to capitalize on two early power plays in the game.
The North Stars continued their physical play in the first period with Blake Young and Dillon Forbes both delivering big body checks, but Flin Flon led by a goal at the break.
The North Stars had more chances in the second period and scored the lone goal of the period. Travis Marit netted his second of the season after taking a nice backhand pass in the slot. Tanner Quinn and Austin Evans were credited with the assists.
In the third period, Flin Flon had a power play early. The Bombers capitalized after good puck movement in the North Stars' zone and Andy Blanke scored with a one-timer.
The North Stars worked to get back in the game, but it wasn't meant to be. The Bombers scored into the empty net to seal the win.
Connor Creech made 36 saves while Buffalo stopped 30 shots for the win. The North Stars were 0/3 on the power play while Flin Flon was 1/4.
The previous night, the North Stars had a slow start to the first period and trailed the Melville Millionaires 1-0 after Nathan Boyer beat Creech.
The teams traded second period power play goals and Melville lead 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Michael Sagen scored for Melville while Kyle Hall scored his 17th of the season from Luke McColgan and Matt Sheeran.
The score didn't change in the third period and Melville won by a goal. Alex Wakaluk played well for the Millionaires and made 35 saves for the win. Creech stopped 31 shots in the game.
"We competed hard last night, we played a structured and discipline game and really deserved a better outcome in last night's hockey game," said Hasselberg of the result against Melville.
The North Stars were back on the ice Tuesday looking to put the mini losing streak behind them. The La Ronge Ice Wolves were scheduled to play at the Civic Centre. The Ice Wolves are fighting for their playoff lives with Melfort, who were just one point up on the Ice Wolves heading into Tuesday's game.
Next up for the North Stars is a northern road trip to Flin Flon and La Ronge Friday and Saturday.
