North Stars stellar in win over Humboldt

The cycle game was key, as the North Stars’ time on attack was plentiful and their puck possession game was too much for Humboldt. It not only lead to power plays, but also meant the Broncos were too tired to mount an offense when they got out of their own zone.

“I came in hoping to be a run and gun team but after a while I just kind of felt we weren’t getting the results that we needed and that we deserved, so we tried to change it up,” Bedford said.

“We changed it up because we know our guys can do it and, to be honest with you, I think our guys like doing it. When we start keeping pucks low and doing those little things right as far as the team game goes, I think everyone kind of buys in a little bit quicker than the run and gun style.”

The North Stars power play went 2-for-4 on the night, on goals from dynamic duo Layne Young and Coby Downs.

They both landed similar one-timers from the top of the circle.

Bedford said he still wants to see improvement on the man advantage in two specific areas.

“Obviously we were successful a couple times there, but I think our entries need to get better,” Bedford said. “There’s times where we’re trying to carry the puck through the middle of the ice across the blue line and I don’t think you can do that in big games. Secondly, I think we were a little bit too perimeter on our power play. I think we need to get pucks low and really use all the ice instead of the upper quarter.”

Humboldt was the team to open the scoring despite being severely outplayed for much of the first, thanks to defenceman Parker Wakaruk. But Young’s power play marker came just one minute later.

Just two minutes after Young tied the game, he came streaking down the wing and let a shot go short side that goaltender Garrett Mason got a big piece of, but couldn’t hold on to.

“It was kind of a squeaker that kind of went through their goalie and kind of one that he probably wants back,” Bedford said. “It’s probably the first time all year that we had one of those goals go our way. It’s usually been the other way.”

Downs and Young were joined on the top line by Ben Allen with the absence of Reed Delainey, who will be sidelined for a couple of weeks after taking a hard hit on Saturday against Estevan.

Allen didn’t look out of place at all, putting his skills on display in his first home game with a beautiful breakaway goal in the second period. With the score 2-1, Connor Manegre fed him a delightful stretch pass, before Allen walked in all alone, went to his backhand and then roofed it.

It was Allen’s fourth point in four games since joining Battlefords from the AJHL two weeks ago.

“Allen really fit in well with that line,” Bedford said. “I thought he created something every time he was on the ice. He’s getting better and better each game and I’m really happy with that line. We’re going to be going with that line moving forward.”

After Allen’s second period goal, it was Downs’ turn to notch one on the power play. He then stole the game with a late empty net goal, meaning he and Young each finished the night with two goals.

Though their offense is clearly coming together, Bedford said he’s been most impressed with Downs and Young’s attitudes.

“The best part is that they always want to be on the ice,” Bedford said. “They want to penalty kill, they want to play in tough situations, they want to play against the other team’s top line, they want to be held accountable, and I think that’s great.

“They speak a different language on the ice and I don’t get in the way. I stay out of it and let them do what they want.”

The North Stars visit La Ronge for the first time this season on Saturday as they’ll take on the Ice Wolves at 7 p.m.

NorSask North Stars radio kicks off at 6:45 with the Ultra Print pre-game show on 93.3 the Rock.

Nathan Kanter is battlefordsNOW’s sports reporter and voice of the Battlefords North Stars. He can be reached at Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca or tweet him @NathanKanter11

by Nathan Kanter

North Stars stellar in win over Humboldt

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