It was a tale of two different Battlefords North Stars teams during their opening weekend of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's regular season.
The North Stars started the season in Kindersley Friday. In total, the Battlefords played maybe a good 15 minutes of the game. The North Stars appeared a bit nervous and sluggish in the first period in Kindersley.
They showed some signs of life in the second period and played their best in part of the third period, but it wasn't enough. Kindersley led 1-0 going into the third period and held on for the 2-1 win.
The next night, was the North Stars home opener and it was another story. After having a barbecue before the game, the more than 900 fans witnessed a much better performance from the North Stars at the Civic Centre.
The home team outplayed Kindersley and skated to a 4-1 win.
The North Stars drew a penalty in the opening minute of Saturday's game and capitalized when Brody Luhning rushed the puck into the Kindersley zone. His centering pass hit a Kindersley defender and beat Warren Shymko. Luhning's defence partner, Kyle Schmidt, drew the lone assist on the game's first goal.
Luhning struck again later in the first period with a point shot that beat Shymko blocker side. Local rookies Blake Young and Carter Danczak drew assists on the goal. It was Danczak's first game of the season. Young played Friday night in Kindersley and drew an assist in that game giving him two assists in his first two games of the season.
There was no scoring in the second period and the North Stars did a great job of penalty killing and limiting Kindersley's chances.
In the third period, Brandon Long netted his first goal as a North Star. Long moved over the blue-line faked a shot and then fired a wrist shot by Shymko making it 3-0. Luhning drew an assist as well, as Braeden Johnson, on the play.
Kindersley scored on a rebound later in the third period on a power play and that was the only time Connor Creech would be beat Saturday.
Kyle Hall poked in a loose puck on a scramble later in the third period to restore the three-goal lead. Hall's first of the season was assisted by Luhning, giving him four points on the night. Roger Tagoona drew the other assist. Tagoona was the lone goal scorer for the North Stars in Kindersley and is off to good start with two points in two games.
In net, Creech is 1-1 on the season, but has allowed just three goals in 180 minutes. He appears to be off to a strong start with a 1.50 goals-against average.
The North Stars will look to build on the momentum created Saturday, as their next action is Friday at home against the Melville Millionaires. The North Stars also travel to Melfort Saturday.
