Friday night at the Civic Centre was an early season match up for first place in the Bauer Conference.
The Nipawin Hawks were in North Battleford to face the North Stars in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action.
The Hawks showed why their offence has been the backbone to their impressive start to the season. The North Stars fell 6-4 to Nipawin, but responded with a 3-0 shut out in Melfort the next night.
Friday, the league's top scorer Tad Kozun got the offence started after taking a stretch pass in behind the defence. He shot the puck between Graham Hildebrand's legs to go up 1-0.
Brody Luhning helped get the North Stars' offence going nearly 10 minutes later. He ripped a point shot on the power play that was tipped in front by Brett Miller for his first goal of the season.
The North Stars top line continued from that point, as Miller had two goals on the night, Tatchell had a goal and a assist and Johnson chipped in with three assists, a welcomed contribution from the first line, but still not enough Friday night.
"What is more important, is we can't shift from one line to another line," said coach Kevin Hasselberg. "Tonight (Friday) Tatchell's line stepped up big for us. We have high expectations for all four of our lines and all three of our D-pairings and we need everyone to contribute to be successful on a daily bases."
Along with those expectations on those in the lineup there are expectations of competitiveness to earn roster spots for others. The North Stars had Lucas Recknagle of Wetaskiwin, Alta., play his first game Friday night after releasing three players from their roster Thursday - Jesse Gerbig, Jared Knott and Nik Rogers.
"When you bring better players in it will force other players to work harder and that is what we want to be about this season. How hard one player works will make another player that much better in the long run," said Hasselberg.
Hildebrand made 28 saves Friday while Davis Jones stopped 35 shots for the win.
The North Stars had a change of scenery and some roster changes Saturday in Melfort including Connor Creech making his second start of the season.
Creech impressed with a 26-save shutout behind one of the North Stars' most complete efforts of the season despite a lot of penalty kill and power play ice time.
North Stars' offence came from Tatchell, who scored his fifth of the season, Rollins added his fourth of the season and second of the weekend and Tanner Schwab scored his second of the season. Perhaps even more important was Kyle Hall picking up two assists - his first two points of the season.
The North Stars were set for their rematch with the Nipawin Hawks Tuesday, as the second of five straight on the road to start October. The Stars play Wednesday in La Ronge and Friday in Humboldt.
In other North Stars news, the team presented Boyd Wakelin with the September player of the month honour Friday. Wakelin had two goals in five games, both being late game, goals. One was to win the game in Kindersley with 6.6 seconds left, the other to tie Melfort at home and eventually forcing overtime where Wakelin contributed with the shootout winning goal.
