Despite injuries and illnesses that have the Battlefords North Stars over the weekend of Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League action, they earned a split on a difficult northern road trip.
Friday in Flin Flon, the North Stars fell 3-1 to the Bombers. Saturday in La Ronge the North Stars won 4-3 over the Ice Wolves.
In Flin Flon, the North Stars had a strong defensive effort, as they outshot the Bombers 39-25, but Flin Flon made the most of their opportunities and skated to the victory.
Battlefords jumped out to the early lead when Kyle Hall scored his fifth goal of the season from Brody Luhning and Braeden Johnson.
Four minutes later, the Bombers tied the game with a Landon Hiebert goal. In the second period, one of the league's best young players, Dillan McCombie, gave the Bombers the lead. Dylan Balaski added to the lead later in the second period with a power play goal and that would be all the offence Friday.
Connor Creech suffered the loss in the North Stars' net while it was Brandon Wildung in net for Flin Flon.
The North Stars' had six defenceman dressed Friday including Dillon Forbes, who returned after sitting out nearly two weeks with an injury. They dressed only 11 forwards Friday instead of 12.
The next the night, the North Stars had fewer players dressed, as they had six defenceman dressed and listed just nine forwards in what turned out to be a chippie game.
It must have been the right roster combination for the North Stars, as they earned the 4-3 win. The Ice Wolves scored two first period power play goals to take a 2-0 lead, those coming from Brett McNevin and Pavio Zerebecky.
The North Stars responded with a power play goal of their own later in the first period when Josh Betinol scored his eighth goal of the season from Brandon Long and Jake McMillen.
The North Stars tied the game on a power play in the second period when McMillen netted his fifth goal of the year from Betinol and Keenan Martens.
Owen LaClare scored later in the period for La Ronge making it a 3-2 game in favour of the home team.
With just seven seconds remaining in the second period, Matt Sheeran tied the game once again. Sheeran's third of the season was assisted by Johnson and Luhning.
The North Stars grabbed the 4-3 lead early in the third period when McMillen scored his second goal of the game from Long and Betinol.
The two teams combined for 82 penalty minutes, as there were two fighting majors handed out to each team and 10 minute misconducts as well.
Creech earned his seventh win of the season while making 24 saves.
The North Stars will be in Melfort Wednesday and back at home Friday and Saturday against Notre Dame and La Ronge.
