Connor Logan has already felt the rush of scoring a playoff overtime goal from his days playing Junior B hockey in British Columbia.
It’s safe to say that the play he made Tuesday night in Flin Flon may top that in his career highlights.
The 20-year-old forward found the back of the net at the 10:41 mark of the extra frame at the Whitney Forum to give the Battlefords North Stars a 2-1 win over the Flin Flon Bombers and put them one win away from winning their second Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship.
“I certainly wasn’t mad after scoring that one that’s for sure,” Logan joked.
“The puck kind of jumped out into the neutral zone at the end of a play and (MacGregor) Sinclair had just come over the bench, so we worked our way into their end and we forced their defencemen back a little bit. He made an unbelievable pass over to me and I just tried to shoot one on net. Fortunately, it ended up going in.”
After a subpar third period by their standards, the North Stars came out flying in the extra frame as they generated a number of scoring chances before Logan’s game-winner.
“We weren’t really pleased with how we played in the second half of the game as we really wanted to close things out in regulation,” Logan said. “We rallied together, calmed ourselves down and knew that if we stuck to what we do best, good things would happen.”
“The resiliency from the team is what stood out for me tonight,” North Stars head coach and general manager Nate Bedford said. “We had an average third period by our playoff standards, but to see the guys turn it around and find a way to win in overtime was fantastic.”
Keaton Holinaty opened the scoring for the North Stars in the first period, as he potted his SJHL best 10th goal of the playoffs.
The Bombers were able to tie things up midway through the final frame when Jordan McCausland scored on a powerplay.
Taryn Kotchorek earned the victory for the visitors as he made 42 saves to improve to 8-0 in the post-season.
The Bombers went back to Zac Robidoux in goal after Brenden Newton started the first two games of the series.
The veteran netminder turned in a strong performance as he made 34 saves in the loss.
The North Stars will have an opportunity to win their first Canalta Cup title since 2000 in Game 4 Wednesday, as they’ll take to the ice at the Whitney Forum at 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time.
“Flin Flon brought their very best tonight and we expect more of the same from them tomorrow,” Bedford said. “They had a vey good forecheck and that’s something we’ll need to be prepared for.”
A fifth game, if needed, will take place at the Civic Centre in North Battleford Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s contest will see Coby Downs and Troy Gerein return to the North Stars forward core as both players were out due to suspensions.
The Bombers will also have forward Jason Lavellee in the lineup after he served a one-game suspension.
