Three third period goals from the Pat Canadians ultimately did the Battlefords in Friday night. The eight seed had Regina on the ropes through 40 minutes of play in game one of the SMAAAHL playoffs, but weren’t able to shut them down in a 3-2 tilt.
The Stars entered the postseason with a big challenge on their shoulders, trying to continue their second half success against the number one team in the league.
Rewind to January, where the Battlefords were the hottest team in the SMAAAHL, going 8-2. They ended the season with a 10-6 record, with the knowledge that they could play with the big boys.
Well, they certainly showed what they were capable of in Regina.
Rookie Jordan Mish scored his first of the postseason in the second period and 10th of the year, continuing his great campaign. 14-year-old Luke Reid was able to find Jayden Nachtegaele before Mish deposited it into the back of the net to give the black and white a 1-0 lead.
The power play struck for the fifth time in the last three games just four minutes later in the middle stanza. Another first-year player came up clutch for the Battlefords as Mason Mullaney notched his first of the playoffs, corralling a pass from JC Dubecky before beating Curtis Meger.
The man advantage ended one for two on the night.
In the final 20 minutes, Regina mounted an incredible comeback, scoring three unanswered. Third leading scorer in the SMAAAHL, Ty Barnstable, led the way with two goals to tie the game at two with nine minutes remaining.
Matthew Chekay went on to score the game winner with his eighth of the year to cap off an incredible game one of playoff action.
Lance Alm earned a well deserved start for the Battlefords. The netminder stood on his head for most of the night, stopping 26 of 29 shots the Pat Canadians threw at him. If the black and white are to upset Regina in round one, Alm will play a big role in doing so.
The AAA Stars look to even the series on home turf tomorrow as they clash with Regina in game two at the Civic Centre. One shift, one period and one game at a time. Puck drop is 2 p.m.
