The Saskatoon Blazers scored four straight goals en route to a 5-3 win over the Battlefords AAA Stars at the Civic Centre Wednesday night in SMAAAHL pre-season action.
It was the Stars' first loss of their exhibition schedule.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Stars outshoot the Blazers 17-10, Saskatoon opened the game's scoring 2:53 into the second. Saskatoon's Shane Sherban streaked down the right wing and his wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle fooled Stars goaltender Shaun Fleming.
With 9:33 to play in the period, the Blazers switched goaltenders. Joel Gryzbowski took the net for Jacob Taylor. Thirty-one seconds after Morin entered the game, Battlefords' Braydon Buziak got around the Sasktoon defenceman on the rush before snapping the puck past Gryzbowski to tie the game at one.
Later in the second, Stars forward Troy Gerein took a penalty for making contact with the head of a Blazers player. While shorthanded, Stars forward Kaelan Holt caused a turnover and broke in on net after skating past Blazers defenceman Liam Maley. Holt's backhand beat Gryzbowski with 1:21 remaining in the frame.
The Blazers responded with two goals 22 seconds apart before the end of the second. While still on the power play, Fleming made the initial save for the Stars. The puck stayed in the crease as multiple Blazers whacked away at the puck. Sherban's stick got the final touch to make it a 2-2 game. The second goal was scored by Kyle Bosch, who jumped on a loose puck in the left faceoff circle, spun and fired a low shot through Fleming's five hole to give the Blazers a 3-2 lead heading into the third.
Saskatoon extended their lead to two 20 seconds into the third. Bosch's cross-crease pass slid under Fleming's stick and Jayze Schwartz tapped the puck in to the back of the Stars' net.
Brayden Camrud made it a 5-2 game with 9:47 left in the game. He finished off a passing play at the side of the net from Sherban and Evan Thomas.
The Stars cut the lead to two with 7:16 to go. Keifer Hintz centred the puck for Derek Frater who was stationed in front of the net. He slapped the puck past Gryzbowski to make the score 5-3.
Battlefords applied pressure through the rest of the period, but were unable to get any closer. Jared Hillis had the Stars' best chance in the waning seconds, but Gryzbowski turned away his breakaway attempt.
Fleming stopped 26 of 31 shots for the Stars in a losing effort. Gryzbowski made 15 stops in relief for the Blazers. Taylor made all 16 saves while starting for Saskatoon.
The Stars continue their exhibition schedule Saturday afternoon at the Civic Centre. They face off against the Saskatoon Contacts at 2 p.m.
Battlefords opens the regular season at home Sept. 26. They welcome the Regina Pat Canadians into the Civic Centre for a 7:30 p.m. start.
