After being swept aside in three games by the Shellbrook Silvertips in last year’s Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League final, the Edam Three Stars are determined to come away with the league championship.
Following a 5-4 win over the Meota Combines at the North Battleford Civic Centre Saturday night, the Three Stars are 3-0 for the season and in a three-way tie for first place in the SPHL standings with the Silvertips and the Battleford Beaver Blues.
“Usually we have a slow start to the season, so this is a bit of a different feeling for us,” Three Stars forward Mitch Wall said.
“Everyone’s getting into shape and getting used to playing with each other once again, but we’ve been able to click right away here.”
Unlike their first two wins of the season, which saw the Three Stars dominate their opponents by a combined score of 20-3, Saturday’s contest was a much tighter affair.
“I felt like we were a little bit nervous at the start and we couldn’t really break out of our own end,” Wall said. “We started to settle down after the first period, and we started to play our game by keeping things simple.
“It was more of a defensive style game, and it was a good one to be a part of. Both teams were playing really well, which is what we were expecting.”
Wall, who has the most points in the league with 15, led the Three Stars on offence Saturday with two goals while Keegan Bourelle and Damon Schaefer both had two assists.
A pair of new faces connected on the game-winning goal for the Three Stars in the third period, as Owen LaClare made a great pass to Kade Mosimann, who fired the puck through traffic and past Combines goaltender Mike Silvester.
“Owen and Kade both played at a high level last year,” Wall said. “Owen was with the Estevan Bruins in the SJHL and Kade was playing midget in Prince Albert.
“We have a couple of experienced lines up front, but Owen and Kade both add an extra dynamic to our team. Owen has one of the best shots around, and I think he’ll really hit his stride for us soon.”
Tristan Deronoski and Geordy Gabruck also scored for the Three Stars on Saturday.
Brody Tatchell and Michael Pylypow had a goal and an assist each for the Combines in the loss.
The Three Stars will look to continue their winning ways Friday night, when they’ll travel to Shellbrook to face the Silvertips, who also have a 3-0 record.
“I think it’ll be a similar type of game to the one we had with the Combines,” Wall said. “We need to play smart in our end and not have as many turnovers, as I think that’ll be the key to having any success against them.”
The Beaver Blues, who have a 3-1 record, moved into a tie for first place with the Silvertips and Three Stars following a 6-5 win on the road against the Cut Knife Colts Tuesday night.
Brent Salzl led the way for the Beaver Blues with a goal and three assists, while Riley Albert and Justin Waskewitch both had five point nights for the Colts.
The Beaver Blues will host the Hafford Hawks Friday at Battleford Arena.
