Nipawin's Reid McKay scored his first career SJHL goal Saturday in a loss to the Battlefords North Stars. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Shining Stars

Stars shine in victory over Nipawin

Nov 13, 2022 | 1:21 PM

The Battlefords North Stars showed why they are on top of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings handing the Hawks a 7-3 loss snapping Nipawin’s three-game winning streak.

Starting the weekend with a 5-4 shootout win over Kindersley, the Hawks we’re excited for the litmus test the North Stars provided. The opening period was played even with both teams firing 13 shots on goal, but in the final seconds of the first period, Nipawin was handed a pair of penalties putting the North Stars on a two-man advantage. Battlefords took their own minor at the end of the period.

Starting the second period on the powerplay Holden Doell scored twice giving the North Stars a 2-0 lead. Nipawin responded with a goal from Zander Stewart cutting the lead to 2-1. The one-goal margin didn’t stand long, the North Stars responded expanding the lead to 4-1. Reid McKay scored his first SJHL goal before the second period ended drawing the home team back to with two heading to the third period.

Needing the next goal in the final frame, the North Stars kept pressing and escalated their lead to 6-2 in the third period before Francois-Xavier Bedard picked up his second goal of the season. The North Stars would add one more, Ashtyn Shields capped the scoring with his first career SJHL goal. Head Coach Tad Kozun said despite the score he was proud of his team’s effort.

“I am proud of the guys, we never quit, we never gave up, we continued to push and battle back. That shows that we’re maturing and coming along nicely,” Kozun said after the game.

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Jackson Fellner suffered his first loss as a Hawk in goal making 33 saves, Justin Maric won the game for the North Stars, he made 37 stops as each team traded 40 chances. Kozun said seeing the North Stars who haven’t suffered a regulation loss this season gave them an idea of how to elevate their own play.

“The guys get to see what it takes to play against them,” he said. “When you do things the right way you start getting those bounces. It is a good thing to see and measure us up against and know how much work is left to do.”

The Hawks are currently in a playoff spot in the SJHL standings as the halfway point of the season draws closer. Next up on the schedule is a Tuesday night home game against the surging Flin Flon Bombers. Kozun said they have still won three of their last four games despite the streak being busted Saturday and he’s confident the cub will pick up wins.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve put three wins together in a row. I am definitely happy with how things are progressing, we’re maturing, good things are going to happen as long as we continue to go down this path,” Kozun concluded.

Tuesday’s game is a 7 p.m. start at the Centennial Arena.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork