AAA Stars edged by Mintos

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In the second, the Stars got their mojo back and responded with two goals from Ian Hillis. Both of Hillis’ goals were set up by Adam Beckman, who turned the puck over in deep after a strong forcheck.

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Hillis also almost had a hat-trick, but was robbed Mintos goaltender Cale Elder in the third.

Fauchon said Hillis’ has been playing strong lately, which shows in the stats as well, with five goals in his last eight games.

“He’s got a nose for the net,” Fauchon said. “And he’s got that quick release, which we’re trying to get some of the other guys here to get it away a little bit quicker.

“Ian’s does that and it’s showing on the scoreboard.”

Here's @AAAStarsHockey coach Jean Fauchon on the strong recent play of Ian Hillis, who has 5 goals in his last 8 GP pic.twitter.com/VsdTjh0OIz

— Nathan Kanter (@NathanKanter11) December 7, 2016

Mintos head coach Ken Morrison said his team started to get away from their game in the second, which is what allowed Battlefords to get back into it.

“Once you get a lead like that, you think the game is over after the first, that’s the tendency,” Morrison said. “Then we get away from our game and they come out, score a goal, and they get a bunch of momentum and then we’re scrambling and all of sudden it’s 3-2.”

But the Stars were unable to tie it in the second, and instead the Mintos would push it to 4-2 before the period was done, thanks to a great move from star Logan Barlage.

With 3:42 remaining in the middle frame, Barlage would cut to the inside just outside the blueline, giving him a 2-on-1 with linemate Ty Mosimann. Barlage fed Mosimann a perfect pass and he made no mistake, to give his club a two-goal lead.

Here's the 4th @PA_Mintos goal.
Watch as Barlage (7) makes a great move just outside the offensive blue line pic.twitter.com/G8SowzahYO

— Nathan Kanter (@NathanKanter11) December 7, 2016

Austin Lamotte would add a third period goal for P.A. to seal the deal, but it was the fourth goal that gave the Mintos the momentum back for the final frame.

Barlage came into the game as the league’s leading scorer, with 36 points in 21 games and was held to just that one assist.

Fauchon felt Battlefords did a solid job of shutting him down, which was one of their keys heading in.

“They went after him. They took the body on him and he doesn’t like the body,” Fauchon said. “We were able to shut him down other than the one assist and we just need to continue to do that. We’ve got two more games against them and so next time we play them we’ll do the same thing.”

Stars goaltender Lance Alm was also solid as usual, despite the five goals allowed. He made 41 saves on 46 shots, including numerous ones to keep the game within reach.

and, a BEAUTY of a save by @AAAStarsHockey goalie @LanceAlm, on @PA_Mintos fwd Ty Mosimann pic.twitter.com/pUUGl9NtcY

— Nathan Kanter (@NathanKanter11) December 7, 2016

The AAA Stars travel to Yorkton this weekend for two games against the Maulers, who they have yet to face this season.

Yorkton is just three points ahead of the Stars in the standings.

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