The North Stars couldn’t have welcomed Joel Grzybowski to the team any better, even if it was only for one game.
In his SJHL debut, the Saskatoon Blazers netminder turned away 21 of 23 shots in a 5-2 victory.
“He had a lot of poise and a lot of confidence in the net, he made some big saves, it was just business as usual for him.” Assistant coach Blair Atcheynum said after the game.
Now, Notre Dame has given the Battlefords some trouble this year, taking them to an overtime period or a shootout in two of three appearances.
The North Stars wouldn’t need extra time tonight.
A power play goal from Jake McMillen brought the energy back to the Civic Centre after being shutout by the Red Wings just a night before. A pass from Levi Kleiboer found McMillen on the left crease, who put away his 20th of the season. Igor Leonenko registered the second assist on the goal.
The North Stars made it 2-0 shortly thereafter. Coby Downs gained momentum through the neutral zone before stopping up north of the blue line on the right wing. Dustin Gorgi found himself wide open, jumping over the boards to begin his shift on the far side. A cross-ice pass gave number 19 a slight breakaway and he made no mistake, snapping a wrist shot over the shoulder of Alexi Thibaudeau, off the bar and in.
A power play turnover for the Notre Dame Hounds broke the game wide open. A D-to-D pass gone wrong allowed speedster Jordan Townsend to outskate the Hounds defence, firing a wrist shot past Thibaudeau to make it 3-0.
Late in the first period it was Dustin Gorgi doing his best shortstop impression, getting a glove on a clearing attempt from the Hounds netminder. Breaking to the cage from the right half-wall made the defence collapse. After the initial save was made, Tyler Podgorenko mistakenly slid the puck under the five-hole of Thibaudeau, giving the North Stars a four-goal advantage.
The fifth and final tally came on the power play in the middle frame. Cody Spagrud teed up a one-time slap shot for Leonenko, blasting it home from his spot on the right wing. You might as well put an imprint of his name on the right faceoff dot because he cannot be stopped when the puck is on his stick on the man advantage. The tally was his 21st of the season and his 13th point in seven games.
From there, Gryzbowski allowed two unanswered goals, both in which he had no chance on. Nathan Walsh scored off a deflection just past his outstretched pad, while Ian Williams put away a puck on the goal line.
The offensive outburst came while top scorers Reed Delainey, Layne Young and Connor Sych were in Leduc for the team Canada West try out.
“Those guys have been the go-to guys all year, that was touched upon in the short pre-game meeting, leaders have to lead and the rest will follow, and that’s exactly what we got tonight.” Atcheynum said.
The supporting cast was dominate tonight, Rory Davidson played great two-way hockey while Townsend notched a goal and had a solid game in his own end.
Despite being up 5-2, SJHL defenceman of the month Kendall Fransoo was still sacrificing his body and blocking shots, as was goal scorer McMillen. This, is a mark of a great hockey club.
Next up is another interdivision matchup against Humboldt next Friday at the Civic Centre. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
News-Optimist THREE STARS:
1) Dustin Gorgi (2 G, 0 A)
2) Igor Leonenko ( 1 G, 1 A)
3) Joel Grzybowski (21 SVs, 1st win)
