Boyd Wakelin was a bit of an unknown to make the Battlefords North Stars during the 2009 training camp, in fact some would consider him a long shot.
After being one of four guys in and out of the lineup on the fourth line in his rookie season, and still being spotted in and moved around the lineup last season, he is now happy to be embracing his time as a veteran on the team.
"I am a 20-year-old this season and have to step up and be a leader when I can," said Wakelin after earning first star honours Wednesday night.
On a night where some of the North Stars' veterans struggled, Wakelin did a little bit of everything in a game that had a little bit of everything between the North Stars and Melfort Mustangs.
"Boyd will surely have ups and downs during the season, but right now we are real happy we can ride this high he is on," said coach Kevin Hasselberg.
Wakelin played physical, killed penalties, filled in on defence while eventually quarterbacking the power play, hit a cross-bar, scored the game tying goal and was the only player to score in the shootout. The shootout winner was his second game-winning goal in as many games.
Jared Knott became the third goalie to start for the Battlefords North Stars this season and played well, making some gigantic saves late to keep the game tied.
The North Stars had a bit of a makeshift fourth line dressed Wednesday night, as both Jesse Gerbig and Jared Kambeitz were in the lineup for their first games. On Gerbig's first shift, and first shot as a North Star, he fired a slapshot from just over the blue-line that knuckled by Jesse Ehnisz.
Kyle Threndyle and Bo Lenard hooked up to help the Mustangs score twice and earn a first period lead. The North Stars had four first period power plays but couldn't convert while out shooting the Mustangs 11-9 in the period and trailing 2-1 on the scoreboard.
In the second, the North Stars started on the power play, but couldn't get much going again. Blake Tatchell was nailed by Lenard, and his linemate Brett Miller did the admirable thing stepping in and dropping the gloves with Lenard and doing well in the fight.
Dillon Forbes also fought in the second period with Cole Horn after a series of big hits. Forbes was also issued a checking to the head penalty on the play, which was a bit of a blow to the North Stars' defensive core, as they dressed only five defencemen to start the game.
Later in the second, Melfort's Ryan McConnell capitalized on a big bounce off the end boards and put Melfort up 3-1.
The North Stars' fourth line struck again in the second to keep the Battlefords within a goal. Gerbig jumped on a turnover just inside the defensive zone and found Ryne Keller alone in front. Keller went over Ehnisz's glove for his first goal as a North Star.
The third saw more penalties and more missed opportunities for the North Stars, but eventually they capitalized with the man advantage to force overtime.
Forbes received a pass from Blake Tatchell and blasted a point shot that appeared to be redirected by Ehnisz to tie the game.
Later, Melfort's Avery VanBlaricom dangled out of the corner and slide a backhand by Knott to retake the lead.
That lead lasted about three minutes, as Wakelin found himself in the slot after a beautiful pass from Braden Johnson and made no mistake going top corner to tie the game.
That was how regulation and overtime would end, despite great scoring chances for both teams, including a breakaway for Melfort that was stopped by Knott with a beautiful pad save in overtime.
In the shootout, Kirby Ruzesky, Threndyle and Brett Kipling were all stopped by Knott while Wakelin, the third shooter, pulled out a nice deke to end the game.
"First I was thinking high glove, which is my bread and butter, but then when I was going in I thought backhand, and he bit on the first move so I pulled it back to my forehand and went that way," said Wakelin of his shootout winner.
The North Stars were 2/11 on the power play while the Mustangs were 1/7, as the two teams combined for 141 penalty minutes in the 5-4 game.
The North Stars' defence will get a boost this weekend, as Brody Luhning was reassigned from the WHL's Regina Pats. Luhning will be in the lineup Saturday against La Ronge and Hasselberg hinted more adjustments could be made to the team in the coming weeks, as Woody Klassen leaves next week for ECHL camp opening up another roster spot for the time being.
