The Battlefords North Stars are headed to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League semifinals for the third straight season.
The defending Canalta Cup champions picked up their 16th consecutive post-season win and swept aside the Weyburn Red Wings for the second straight year in the quarter-final round with a dramatic 3-2 overtime triumph at Crescent Point Place.
“It was an exciting way to finish the series off,” North Stars head coach and general manager Brandon Heck said. “We have a lot of guys who want to be the hero and like the spotlight, so we were comfortable with the game going into overtime.
“As a result, we had a really positive attitude on the bench and we were all cheering each other on in the frame.”
Rookie forward Elijah Loon-Stewardson was the hero for the North Stars as he potted home his first career playoff goal at the 9:30 mark of the extra frame.
“He was my pick to score the overtime winner between [assistant coach] Boyd [Wakelin] and I,” Heck said.
“His line [which also included Brad Girard and Cole Johnson] had been buzzing all night and he a number of chances in regulation, so I just felt that he was due to score one.”
Johnson helped to set up Loon-Stewardson’s game-winning goal and also had an assist on Girard’s first period marker, but it was what he did without the puck that stood out to Heck on Wednesday.
“He had a couple of big blocked shots when Weyburn was pressing and he was one of the guys keeping things positive on the bench when things were stacked against us a couple of times,” Heck said. “That was great to see from Cole and it really show his true character. I’m really proud of his effort tonight.”
Layne Young also scored for the North Stars, who received a 22-save performance from Joel Grzybowski.
In what proved to be his final junior hockey game, Arik Weersink was sublime in goal for the Red Wings as he turned aside 52 shots.
“I thought Arik was outstanding for them,” Heck said.
“They were rolling a number of guys out there for a lot of minutes tonight and they were playing but I had confidence in our guys to get things done, even when they went ahead 2-1 in the third.”
Cade Kowalski led the way for the hosts with a goal and an assist, while Cole Woodliffe dished out a pair of helpers.
Ben Hiltz had the other goal for the Red Wings, who have been knocked out of the post-season in the quarter-final round for four straight years.
After taking a day off Thursday, the North Stars plan to return to practice Friday as they await to find out who they will face in the semifinals next week.
The Estevan Bruins also advanced to the final four for the second straight season Wednesday as they completed a clean sweep of the Kindersley Klippers with a 3-2 road win.
Elsewhere, the Nipawin Hawks bounced back from a loss at the Whitney Forum a night earlier with a 5-2 triumph over the Flin Flon Bombers.
The top overall seed in the SJHL playoffs now hold a 3-1 advantage and can wrap up their series in Nipawin Friday night.
Meanwhile, Brayden Camrud scored early in overtime at the Elgar Petersen Arena to give the Humboldt Broncos a 3-2 triumph over the Melfort Mustangs and a 3-1 lead in that best-of-seven affair.
The Broncos can conclude that matchup Saturday in Melfort.
