Spencer Tremblay made 32 saves and Connor Vermeulen had three points as the Battlefords North Stars (15-5-5-0) defeated the Humboldt Broncos (12-11-1-0) 4-2 at the Civic Centre on Tuesday night. It was the Broncos' third loss in a row.
The physical play was noticeable throughout the game, as both teams finished their checks every chance they got.
The North Stars didn't get off on the right foot, as just 37 seconds into the game, defenseman Kendall Fransoo was called for hooking, sending the Broncos to the power-play.
Humboldt was unable to take advantage despite good puck movement around the North Stars zone, as Tremblay stood tall in goal.
Just over the eight minute mark of the first, Jackson Bond sent a cross-ice pass to Otto Mitchell, who one-timed the puck past a sprawling Jack Romanuik to give the North Stars a 1-0 lead. Vermeulen picked up his first point of the night with the secondary assist.
Tensions between the Kramer Division rivals boiled over in front of the Broncos' bench just over a minute later, as multiple players from both teams came together throwing punches.
After the officials separated the teams, Nick Fountain of the North Stars and Teagan Kooman of Humboldt were both given roughing penalties.
The shots ended 14-9 in favour of the visitors after the first period.
The strong goaltending from both teams carried over to the second period, as neither team was able to score despite an 11-10 shot advantage for the North Stars.
The third period was when the game opened up.
Just 1:37 into the frame, Broncos defenseman Corey Dambrauskas fired a slap shot wide of the net, but it bounced out the other side to a wide-open Matthew Kenney, who tapped the puck in for his fourth goal of the season. Ashton Mcleod also picked up an assist on the play.
Humboldt had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead, when Jake Calverley and Matthew Havens were given hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties at the same time 7:26 into the period, sending the Broncos to a full two minute 5-on-3 advantage.
Brenden Heinrich had other ideas on the penalty kill however, as right off the face-off he pushed the puck up the boards, and flew past the defender on a partial breakaway, forcing Greg Moro to take a holding penalty just nine seconds after the Broncos power-play started.
Despite extended power-play time from both teams, no power-play goals were scored, as Humboldt went 0-for-6, and the North Stars were 0-for-5.
Battlefords regained their one goal lead halfway through the third, when Vermeulen knocked a loose puck near the crease past Romanuik. His second of the season was assisted by Ryne Keller and Heinrich.
The lead was short-lived, as just 1:18 later, Logan Schatz and Stuart Symenuk came in on a two-on-one, and Symenuk redirected a centring pass over the blocker of Tremblay to tie the game at two.
Under three minutes later, Mcleod was the recipient of a hard hit along the boards, and got up looking for a fight. Connor Sych of the North Stars obliged, as the two dropped the gloves, resulting in both being tossed from the game with the automatic game misconduct penalty that comes with fighting.
The fight seemed to spark Sych's teammates, as with just 3:35 remaining in the game, Brady O'Sullivan knocked in a rebound to give the North Stars the lead for good. Fountain and Vermeulen were given assists on the play.
After Heinrich was given a holding penalty with 1:10 remaining, the Broncos pulled Romanuik to give them a 6-on-4 advantage with a face-off in the North Stars zone, but Reed Delainey intercepted a pass from down low, and fired the puck the length of the ice into the empty net for his eleventh goal of the season, to seal with victory for the North Stars.
After the game, North Stars head coach Kevin Hasselberg was quick to give props to Sych for his fight.
"Very proud of him," said Hasselberg. "We want our guys to have each others' backs, and that was just further evidence of a player doing what it takes to make sure he looks after his family."
Before the game it was also revealed that Hasselberg signed a two-year extension with the North Stars.
"Very excited, very proud, very thankful," he said. "I look forward to what lies ahead for the program and certainly look forward to working with the people who are involved."
The North Stars continue their brief three-game home stand Friday, when the Melfort Mustangs (16-5-0-4) come to town. Melfort is coming off a tough loss to Weyburn on Tuesday, where they tied the game at three with under 30 seconds remaining, only to give up the game winner with nine seconds left in the game.
The two teams met back Nov. 5, when the North Stars came away with a 4-3 shootout win.
