A potent power-play propelled the Battlefords North Stars back into the win column Sunday in Saskatoon.
Less than 24 hours after losing their first game of the season to the Estevan Bruins at the Civic Centre, the North Stars scored four times on the man advantage as they picked up a 5-2 victory over the Melville Millionaires at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Showcase event at the Hamm Latrace Arena.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely fair to say that the guys brought a much better effort than they did a night ago,鈥� North Stars head coach and general manager Brandon Heck said.
鈥淥ur power play was obviously way better than it was Saturday and we had a really strong forecheck, which allowed us to create a lot of turnovers.鈥�
The North Stars top line was clicking all game long, as captain Layne Young scored a goal and dished out three assists to move into the SJHL scoring lead with 11 points in four games.
MacGregor Sinclair finished up the game with a goal and two assists, while Dakota Huebner found the back of the net twice in the first period and helped to set up Sinclair鈥檚 goal.
鈥淏oth of Dakota鈥檚 goals were goal scorer鈥檚 goals and it was a nice continuation of the strong effort he put in on Saturday,鈥� Heck said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a nice complement to Young and Sinclair right now.鈥�
Matthias Urbanski rounded the scoring as he slotted home his first SJHL goal on the power play.
Sunday鈥檚 game also saw Kolby Matthews make his debut in between the pipes for the North Stars, as he made 22 saves to earn his first career Junior A victory.
鈥淚 thought he played really well,鈥� Heck said. 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 one goal that he would like back but he made a lot big saves.
鈥淗e went a long time without facing many shots and then he was faced with a number of legit scoring opportunities. He made key saves when we needed him too and it was a great debut for him.鈥�
Taylor Elmy led the way for the Millionaires with a goal and an assist in the loss.
Cory Schillo also found the back of the net and goaltender Colby Entz made 29 saves.
There鈥檚 no rest for the North Stars as they鈥檒l return to Saskatoon Monday at 10 a.m. for a rematch with the Bruins.
Sunday SJHL Recap
The league鈥檚 annual Showcase, which had been held in Warman for the last four years, got underway Sunday afternoon with the Nipawin Hawks defeating the Humboldt Broncos by a score of 5-2.
Jordan Simoneau led the way for the Hawks with a two-goal performance, while teammates Zach Cox, Logan Casavant and Michael Grant also scored.
Logan Hunter and Logan Boulet replied for the Broncos.
In the other game held on Sunday, the Weyburn Red Wings came back from a two-goal deficit in the first period to beat the Flin Flon Bombers 3-2 in a shootout.
Jeremy Velazquez and Cade Kowalski both scored in regulation to help the Red Wings tie the game, while Cole Woodliffe and Landon Walters found the back of the net in the shootout to complete the comeback.
Ben Lanfermann and Caleb Moretz had the Bombers goals.
The Bombers also made a trade prior to the Showcase as they dealt forward Tyler Millar to the Millionaires for future considerations.
Millar, a 20-year-old from Vermillion, Alta., had seven assists for the Bombers in 51 games last season.
Monday SJHL Schedule (All games in Saskatoon)
- Estevan vs. Battlefords 鈥� 10 a.m.
- Weyburn vs. Kindersley 鈥� 1:15 p.m.
- Melville vs. La Ronge 鈥� 4:30 p.m.
- Notre Dame vs. Flin Flon 鈥� 7:35 p.m.
Standings
Olympic Buildings Division
1.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Battlefords North Stars 鈥� 7 points (3-0-1)
2.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Humboldt Broncos 鈥� 6 points (3-2)
3.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Notre Dame Hounds 鈥� 6 points (2-0-1-1)
4.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Kindersley Klippers 鈥� 3 points (1-2-1)
Sherwood Division
1.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Melfort Mustangs 鈥� 8 points (4-0)
2.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nipawin Hawks 鈥� 5 points (2-1-1)
3.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Flin Flon Bombers 鈥� 5 points (2-1-0-1)
4.聽聽聽聽聽聽 La Ronge Ice Wolves 鈥� 0 points (0-3)
Viterra Division
1.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Estevan Bruins 鈥� 6 points (3-1)
2.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Weyburn Red Wings 鈥� 5 points (2-1-1)
3.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Yorkton Terriers 鈥� 3 points (1-2-1)
4.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Melville Millionaires 鈥� 2 points (1-3)
Scoring Race
1.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Layne Young (Battleford) 鈥� 11 points (4 goals and 7 assists)
2.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Zach Goberis (Estevan) 鈥� 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists)
3.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Colby Brandt (Notre Dame) 鈥� 8 points (2 goals and 6 assists)
4.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Michael McChesney (Estevan) 鈥� 7 points (4 goals and 3 assists)
5.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Brett Harasymuk (Nipawin) 鈥� 7 points (1 goal and 6 assists)
Goals Against Average Leaders
1.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Maxim Sidelnik (Estevan) 鈥� 1.00 (1-0-0)
2.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Jack Ryan (Notre Dame) 鈥� 1.00 (1-0-0)
3.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Taryn Kotchorek (Battlefords) 鈥� 1.31 (2-0-1)
4.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Arik Weersink (Weyburn) 鈥� 1.61 (2-1-0)
5.聽聽聽聽聽聽 Jacob Standen (Notre Dame) 鈥� 1.92 (1-0-1-1)
