The Battlefords North Stars had an opportunity to distance themselves from the Nipawin Hawks and Flin Flon Bombers and jump ahead of the Humboldt Broncos Tuesday night, but failed to do so.
Both teams, Nipawin and the Battlefords, knew the importance of the two points in the tight Bauer Conference, but it was Nipawin winning 4-2 Tuesday at the Civic Centre.
The North Stars fell behind 3-1 after the first and despite a push at times in the final two periods, they couldn't rally to tie the game.
In the first, Cole Gibson scored his 13th of the season and first as a North Star, putting the home team up 1-0 with a shorthanded goal.
The remainder of the first period was all Nipawin offence, as Eli Lichtenwald scored on a powerplay. Three minutes later, Cole Darius added another for the Hawks. Jamie Johnson scored later in the first giving the Hawks a two-goal lead after 20 minutes.
In the second, Samuel Fortier drew the North Stars to within a goal, as he scored his ninth of the season from Blake Tatchell and Cody Folstad.
The quick second period ended with the North Stars trailing 3-2.
In the third, both goalies played strong, especially Brody Hoffman in the Hawks' net, as the North Stars battled to tie the game. A few key saves by Hoffman ultimately sealed the North Stars' fate.
Nipawin sealed the deal with a Brendan Tash empty-net goal late in the period.
Hoffman made 32 saves for his 12th win of the season improving the Hawks record to 16-23-3-1 and keeping them in the hunt for fifth place in the conference.
The loss is the second straight at home for the North Stars, who are 20-23-1-1 on the season.
Birch made 31 saves in the loss while the North Stars were 0/5 on the powerplay and Nipawin went 1/5.
The North Stars will get a chance at redemption against the Hawks, as they go to Nipawin Saturday, but before that, the North Stars host the Estevan Bruins Thursday at the Civic Centre.
Thursday the North Stars will be revealing their submission for the three league awards during the SJHL President's Tour stop in the Battlefords. Those nominees will join the other team's selections for the SJHL's Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defenceman and Top Rookie.
Three teams have already revealed their picks, the first being Yorkton, as goaltender Devin Peters was nominated for Most Outstanding Player, Blaine Tendler was nominated for Most Outstanding Defenceman and Zak Majkowski was nominated for Top Rookie.
Melville announced their picks with Lucas Froese the nominee for Most Outstanding Player, Craig Karius nominated for Most Outstanding Defenceman and Roger Tagoona nominated for Top Rookie.
Wednesday, Kindersley announced Johnny Calkins will be their nominee for Most Outstanding Player, Kurt Leedahl will be on the ballot for Most Outstanding Defenceman and Tanner Kissick is their team nominee for Top Rookie.
The President's Tour will continue through the remainder of the SJHL communities wrapping up Feb. 16 in Melfort.
