By Nathan Kanter

AAA Stars playoff chances dwindle after another loss

Feb 7, 2017 | 8:36 PM

The AAA Stars played one of their best defensive games of the season on Tuesday night, but all that will show up in the standings is another loss, which means their playoff chances are now extremely slim.

They came into the contest three points out of eighth with five games remaining, while those eighth place Sakatoon Blazers still have seven games remaining. With Tuesday’s loss, Battlefords now has just four games left, plus they’d have to hop Beardy’s and Swift Current to get in.

The 1-0 loss Tuesday at home to the Prince Mintos was starkly different from the 9-1 loss they suffered against the very same team just five days ago.

“Great effort,” Stars head coach Norm Johnston said. “I thought we played really really well. I know we lost but that’s the best game since I’ve been here and that’s the best three periods they’ve played.

“The biggest thing is we cut their chances down. That’s huge. We weren’t always chasing the puck. They were chasing us at times and that’s what we have to do. I thought it was way better.”

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The shots were basically even on Tuesday, at 32-30 for the visitors. Plus the penalties were even at four each. The only difference all night long was a breakaway early in the game that squeaked by goaltender Lance Alm. That goal was Kyrell Sopotyk’s 32nd tally of the season.

Johnston said the biggest difference between the weekend’s losses and Tuesday’s one-goal loss was the team is starting to understand his structure.

“They haven’t had structure,” he said. “Once they got the structure, we limited them in shots. We closed the gap. The only thing we didn’t do was score.”

Calde Elder had the shutout for P.A. with 30 saves, while Alm stopped 31 of 32 shots.

If the Stars are to salvage their season, they will basically need to win all four of their remaining games, which begins this weekend with a pair of games in Moose Jaw against the Generals. They will also need luck to be on their side.

“I’m looking forward to the weekend and seeing how we do in Moose Jaw,” Johnston said.

Battlefords is 2-10 in their last 12 games.

by Nathan Kanter

AAA Stars playoff chances dwindle after another loss

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