The Battlefords AAA Stars are becoming a tough test for any Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League team that welcomes them into their rink.
Thanks to a pair of 4-3 wins over the Yorkton Maulers at the Farrell Agencies Arena this weekend, the Stars have now won five straight games away from the friendly confines of the Civic Centre.
“The way that we have been playing over the last six games here has been impressive to watch,” Stars head coach Jean Fauchon said.
“We’re keeping things simple. We’re forechecking hard and putting pucks on net. Everyone’s buying in at the moment and it’s showing in our results.”
The Stars overcame some adversity Saturday night as they bounced back from a late Maulers goal to come away with the victory in the shootout.
“You don’t want to ever harp on the refereeing, but it was horrible in that game,” Fauchon said. “They kept giving us phantom calls to put Yorkton back into it.
“Our guys did a great job of staying calm and sticking to the game plan. They knew that the scoring chances would come and they were rewarded for it.”
Luke Reid scored the only goal in the shootout, while Lance Alm stopped all three attempts from the Maulers.
Reid, Jaden Shewchuk and Jordan Mish found the back of the net for the Stars in regulation and Alm made 25 saves
The Maulers were led on offence by the line of Kaleb Bulych, Derrick Budz and MacKenzie Walkington.
Budz scored twice and had an assist, Bulych found the back of the net once and dished out two helpers, while Walkington helped to set up all three goals.
The dangerous trio all took shots in the shootout, but they were all turned aside by Alm.
Sunday’s win was highlighted by a great goaltending performance by Joseph Young, as he made 39 saves to stave off a late comeback bid by the Maulers.
“He was squaring up to the puck, smothering up the puck when it was around the net, and he had a great glove hand,” Fauchon said.
“It was hard to get anything by him today.”
Mackenzie Donovan led the way on offence for the Stars with a pair of goals.
Tyson Meyers had a goal and an assist, while Reid concluded his solid weekend with a pair of assists.
Tye Scherger also scored in the victory.
Trey Bear, Ryder Pierson and Max Gudnasson all scored for the Maulers in the loss.
The Stars are now 5-1 for the month of December.
They have improved their record to 11-12-1-1 for the season and have moved into a tie for seventh place in the SMAAAHL standings with the Maulers.
They are also just one point behind the Prince Albert Mintos and the Swift Current Legionnaires for fifth place.
Prior to the Christmas break, the Stars will have a tough test this weekend as they’ll host the Regina Pat Canadians, who are only two points behind the league-leading Moose Jaw Generals.
“This will be the first time that we’ve faced them this year,” Fauchon said. “They have the same coach as last year, so we’ll look at some of the game tape from our meetings with them.
“It will be a big test for us but if we keep playing the way we have been, I think we have a good chance of doing well against them.”
