BATTLEFORDS — The Battlefords North Stars hit the road this week trying to sweep their way to a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship.
Last weekend, at home, the North Stars took a 2-0 lead in its Canterra Seeds Cup series versus Flin Flon. The Battlefords squad won 5-2 and 3-0. The schedule for the rest of the series is:
- Game 3 – at Flin Flon – Friday, April 21
- Game 4 – at Flin Flon – Saturday, April 22
- Game 5 – at Battlefords – Tuesday, April 25 (if needed)
- Game 6 – at Flin Flon – Saturday, April 29 (f needed)
- Game 7 – at Battlefords – Wednesday, May 3 (if needed)
SJHL News
In other SJHL news, the Yorkton Terriers’ Clay Sleeva was named the SJHL’s RBC Community Ambassador after online voting. The 19-year-old forward from Canora has given back to Yorkton community in various ways. These have included Walk for World Mental Health Day and trick-or-treating with youngsters.
La Ronge Ice Wolves goalie Dawson Smith has announced his commitment to Western Michigan University. The Kalamazoo, Mich. school squad plays at the NCAA Division I level. During the regular season, the Whitehorse, Yukon product posted a 2.47 GAA and .933 save percentage in 35 games.
Game One
North Stars 5, Bombers 2
In the opening contest of the SJHL finals on April 14, the Flin Flon Bombers got on the scoreboard first with a shorthanded goal by Kylynn Olafson. Less than five minutes later, the North Stars evened things up on a powerplay by captain Jake Southgate. With less than four minutes left in the frame, Colby Bear lit the lamp to put the hosts up 2-1. During the first period, Bombers captain Lucas Frey left the game and was taken to hospital in Saskatoon.
Southgate and Keiton Klein each scored in the second period. The North Stars held a 4-1 lead at the second intermission. Flin Flon’s Ethan Mercer found the back of the net just before the halfway mark of the third to make it, 4-2. Bear’s empty net goal with less than a minute remaining created the 5-2 final.
For Battlefords, Josh Kotai made 25 saves in the win. Harmon Laser-Hume turned away 32 shots for Flin Flon.
Beat finished with three points. Tynan Ewart and Kian Bell each had two assists.
Game Two
North Stars 3, Bombers 0
Kotai stopped all 36 shots sent his way to help Battlefords to a 3-0 home victory on April 15. It was his third shutout of the playoffs.
For the North Stars, Jackson Allan scored just over halfway through the first period. Teammate Steven Kesslering lit the lamp on the second period powerplay. Bell added a goal on the man advantage early in the third.
Laser-Hume had 26 saves. Late in the third, Flin Flon’s Liam Bridger and Reece Richmond and North Stars Jordan Grill and Wilson Steele received fighting majors.
On April 13, Dawson Karol helped the Pilot Butte Storm win the Prairie Junior Hockey League championship. He scored two goals as the Storm beat the Saskatoon Quakers, 6-2, on their way to a 4-3 championship series win. On April 15, Karol suited up for the Bombers.
