The Battlefords North Stars' roster hopefuls split into two teams for the Black and White game Wednesday night at the Civic Centre.
Team Black game out of the gate strong in the first period, controlling play early and getting the game's first 10 shots on goal. Team White's starting goaltender Spencer Tremblay was up for the challenge, turning aside the early pressure from the opposing side.
Jackson Bond got Team White on the board first with 6:49 remaining in the opening frame. He tucked a cross-crease pass from Igor Leonenko past Team Black goaltender Michael Cullen.
Both Tremblay and Cullen were pulled from the game 9:14 into the second period. Tremblay stopped all 14 shots fired his way, while Cullen allowed just the one goal on 14 shots.
Ryan Rewerts took the net for Team Black and received a rude welcome. Team White defenceman Robin Yew fired a shot from the point that was deflected by Quinton Cubbon past Rewerts four seconds after he took the net.
Team Black broke the shutout early in the third period. Matthew Saharchuk picked up a loose puck in the high slot and quickly shot it on net, fooling Team White goaltender Taryn Kotchorek to cut their lead to one 2:34 into the frame.
Leonenko restored Team White's two-goal lead midway through the final frame. He redirected Connor Vermeulen's point shot under the cross bar and past Rewerts to put Team White up 3-1.
Rewerts was pulled for the extra attacker for the final moments of the game, but Kotchorek and Team White held their ground to earn the 3-1 victory. In relief, Rewerts stopped nine shots. His counterpart Kotchorek turned aside 14 of 15 shots faced.
The North Stars will reunite for two exhibition games against the Kindersley Klippers this weekend. Battlefords travel to Kindersley Friday night. The two teams meet again Saturday night at the Civic Centre. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
The team will announce their opening night roster during their kickoff breakfast Sept. 17 from 7 to 8:15 a.m., two days before the home opener against Kindersley.
