It may not seem like it given where they are in the standings, but the Battlefords North Stars are quickly looking like a tough team to try and match up against on a nightly basis.
Due to playing fewer games than the rest of 11 teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the 8-0-1-0 North Stars sit in fifth place in the overall standings with 17 points and are a point back of the Notre Dame Hounds for top spot in the Olympic Buildings Division.
However, after a 5-2 triumph over the Flin Flon Bombers Saturday night at the Civic Centre, the North Stars have the best winning percentage in the league with a .944 mark and their six straight victories is tied with the Weyburn Red Wings for the longest current win streak in the SJHL.
“I think we are just executing all the little things well at the moment,” North Stars forward Matthias Urbanski said.
“We’re winning the battles and everyone that’s in the lineup is doing their job right now, especially our two goaltenders who have kept us in every game.”
Although the score was lot more convincing than Friday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Melfort Mustangs, North Stars head coach and general manager Brandon Heck felt like the team had a better showing in the first game of the weekend.
“I really liked how we played against Melfort, but we didn’t have as much poise against Flin Flon and we ended up taking a few selfish penalties,” Heck said.
“With that said, any time that you can get two wins in a weekend, you are always happy about that.”
Urbanski led the way for the North Stars as he potted a pair of goals in his best game to date with the team.
“I think everyone on our line knows the role that we have and we’re working well together,” said Urbanski, who is playing with fellow forwards Sielsky and Elijah Loon-Stewardson.
“All of us like to get down in the corners and we’re not afraid to do the dirty work that’s needed to get goals.”
Keith Anderson, Ryan Gil and Young had the other goals for the North Stars, with Gil’s marker coming in his debut for the team.
“We’re getting more secondary scoring here now and that’s what we need to see going forward, especially as we get ready to head out on the road,” Heck said.
Rookie Kolby Matthews made 26 saves as the netminder improved to 4-0 in his first season of Junior A hockey.
“I really like the way he plays with the puck and he has the confidence to make saves at the right time,” Heck said.
“After he gave up the second goal on a bad bounce that ended up in the slot for Flin Flon, you could see the maturity that he has. A lot of goalies would fold up after that, but he bounced right back and didn’t let it get to him.”
Chrystopher Collin and Caleb Moretz each scored for the Bombers, who are currently mired in a seven-game losing streak.
“We just got to battle through the adversity and we’re heading back home soon, where we always play well,” Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan said.
“We got a lot of young guys here this year and we have to be patient. We’ve been in situations the last two years where we’ve had rough stretches but we were able to bounce back and make it to the finals. It’s a long season and I’d rather deal with these challenges now instead of getting of to a hot start and then having things go the other way and not knowing how to react to that.”
The North Stars will be back in action at the Civic Centre Friday at 7:30 p.m. to take on the Yorkton Terriers.
The two teams will then play again Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., in what will mark the end of a six-game home stand for the North Stars.
