The Battlefords North Stars are pushing for the top spot in the Kramer Division after a successful weekend in Flin Flon. The North Stars won both meetings over the Bombers and sit one point behind Kindersley for first in the division.
Battlefords started the weekend with a 3-0 win over the Bombers Friday night. Michael Gudmandson stopped 28 shots to earn his 14th win and fourth shutout of the season.
The North Stars jumped on the Bombers early in the game. Jake Erickson scored a power play goal 1:25 into the game. It was his second goal of the season.
Midway through the first, the North Stars extended their lead. Jake McMillen found the back of the net for his 14th goal of the season with 9:47 to play in the period.
It was another quick start to a period in the second for Battlefords. Igor Leonenko beat Bombers goaltender Simon Hofley a minute into the frame for his 10th of the campaign.
Gudmandson held down the fort for the rest of the game. In the third, he stopped all 10 shots to clinch the shutout for the North Stars. Hofley stopped 49 shots in the loss for the Bombers.
Luke McColgan assisted on all three goals for Battlefords.
The North Stars followed up Friday's win with another one Saturday night, edging the Bombers 4-3 behind McColgan's game-winner late in the third period.
The Bombers started strong with two early goals. Danys Chartrand scored 1:16 into the game, beating Battlefords goaltender Darren Martin on the power play. It was Chartrand's ninth of the year. Flin Flon added another goal less than two minutes later. Paul Soubry lit the lamp with his sixth of the season 3:12 into the first.
The Bombers had control of the first period, outshooting the North Stars 17-11.
The North Stars responded with two goals of their own in the second period. Ryne Keller's 10th of the season broke Hofley's shutout and cut the lead in half less than six minutes into the second. Reed Delainey scored with 13 seconds left in the second to tie the game before the second intermission. It was his seventh of the year.
The teams traded goals in the third period. Taylor Reich gave the North Stars their first lead of the game 8:28 into the third with his ninth goal of the year. Austin Calladine tied the game for the Bombers with less than five minutes to play in the game. It was his 15th of the season.
McColgan broke the tie for good with 1:57 left to play. His ninth goal of the year held up as the game-winning goal.
Martin made 37 saves en route to his 10th win of the season. Hofley stopped 31 shots in the loss for the Bombers. It was his ninth loss of the season.
The North Stars have now won 11 straight games and have still yet to lose in 2014. They are now one point behind the Kindersley Klippers for first place in the Kramer Division.
Battlefords (28-16-0-2) return home for their next game Thursday night. They host the Nipawin Hawks at the Civic Centre.
It is North Stars Pride and Minor Hockey Association Night against the Hawks. All children or students wearing any hockey jersey will get into the game for free. Adults wearing a jersey will pay half price for admission. There are also door prizes for anyone who attends the game. Puck drop for the game is 7:30 p.m.
