NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Battlefords North Stars extended their win steak in the SJHL to four games with a 4-1 win Saturday over the Nipawin Hawks at home.
The story at the Access Communications Centre was the North Stars’ ability to capitalize on the power play, as they scored four goals with the man advantage on four power play opportunities.
In general, it was a night to forget for the Hawks’ Carson Dobson. He took two minor penalties early in the contest, both of which resulted in North Stars power play goals to put the home team ahead. The North Stars added a third goal after Nipawin was called for too many men, and then a fourth power play goal in the third period to seal the win.
BACKDROP: Going into the game the North Stars were hoping to continue their recent momentum. The previous night the North Stars went into Kindersley and beat the Klippers 3-1. Dylan Esau, Emmett Wurst and Riley Little (empty net) led the way for the Battlefords.
Meanwhile the Hawks had seen two of their players named as SJHL Players of the Week. Mkyllan Couture was named Defenceman of the Week while Chase Hamm, who started in Saturday night’s game, was Goaltender of the Week.
Still, the Hawks entered Saturday’s contest looking for an improved performance after the previous night’s 7-3 loss at home to Notre Dame.
GAME SUMMARY: The North Stars got off to the start they wanted in the first period. With the Hawks’ Carson Dobson in the box for a hooking penalty, North Stars’ captain Ryland McNinch got his ninth of the season from Keiton Klein and Jake Southgate to make it 1-0.
Shots through one period were even at 12 apiece as the two teams headed for the first intermission.
In period two, it was another Dobson penalty, this time for holding the stick, that led to another North Stars power play goal. Tynan Ewart scored his second of the season from Klein and McNinch at 1:20 of period two.
The North Stars capitalized on the power play again with four minutes remaining in the period. With Nipawin called for too many men, the North Stars’ K.T. Walters scored his seventh of the season, from Dace Prymak and Zane Florence.
Shots on goal favored the North Stars 22-20 going into the second intermission.
In the third period, Nipawin finally got on the board at the 7:09 mark with a goal from Joel Mabin from Josh Morton and Jake Smith to pull the Hawks within a goal.
The North Stars added a fourth power play goal at the 17:09 mark as Jordan Grill capitalized with the Hawks' Dawson Brace in the box for high sticking. That wrapped a 4-1 final score for the North Stars.
There were some fireworks late in the game, as Zane Florence and Josh Morton got into a scrap near the North Stars net. That resulted in major fighting and game misconduct penalties.
Shots on goal favored the North Stars 36-34 with Michael Harroch getting the win in net.
Next up for Nipawin is a home date with Weyburn on Tuesday before hosting the North Stars again next Friday night.
