It was an up-and-down weekend for the Battlefords North Stars, as they traveled to the Whitney Forum for the first time since beating the Flin Flon Bombers in last year’s SJHL final.
After coming away with a 4-3 overtime win over the Bombers Friday night, the North Stars gave up three goals in the second period the following evening as they dropped the rematch by a score of 4-3.
In his first game with the team after being acquired from the Lloydmisnter Bobcats Wednesday, Cole Johnson was the overtime hero for the North Stars Friday as he found the back of the net after a minute of play in the extra frame.
Garan Magnes also had a strong performance in his debut with the North Stars following a trade with the Spruce Grove Saints two days earlier, as he scored a pair of goals.
Layne Young led the way on offence with a goal and two assists, while Joel Grzybowski made 31 saves.
Chrystopher Collin, Ethan Daniels and Donoavan Houle-Villeneuve all scored for the Bombers, who recieved a 38 save performance from goaltender Brendan Newton.
Saturday’s setback, which brought an end to the North Stars six-game win streak, saw the visitors get goals from Chaseton Braid, Levi Kleiboer and Matthias Urbanski.
Urbanski and Kleiboer also had an assist in the loss, while Johnson dished out two helpers.
Taryn Kotchorek got the start in goal and turned aside 21 shots.
The Bombers, who are in ninth place in the SJHL standings with a 15-19-2-3 record, got two goals from defenceman Calvon Boots.
Dylan Burton had a goal and two assists in the win for the hosts, who also received a goal Vaughan Bamford and a 31-save showing from Newton.
The North Stars, who are seven points back of the league leading Nipawin Hawks but have four games in hand, will look to improve on their 28-6-2-0 record this weekend.
They continue their road swing Friday night against the Yorkton Terriers before facing the Melville Millionaires in Balcarres.
