North Stars drop first regulation game to Klippers

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“I thought we played dumb for a whole 60 minutes, especially at the end,” Heck said. “We worked hard enough, we just didn’t work smart. We didn’t make the right adjustments to what they were doing. Not much to say. Not a good night.”

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Dakota Huebner had the North Stars’ lone goal, with his linemates Layne Young and MacGregor Sinclair each picking up an assist when Battlefords drew first blood early in the second.

After entering the third period tied 1-1, Kindersley struck once six minutes into the final frame and then added two late markers, including one into an empty net to seal the deal.

The North Stars outshot Kindersley 32-27 overall, including 14-6 in the third, but it wasn’t enough.

“They just executed better than we did. Their guys bought into what they were doing and our guys didn’t buy into adjusting to it,” Heck said. “They clogged up the neutral zone. They pinched down on us in our own end and we weren’t willing to make plays or hit the right guy on the breakout.”

A 5-on-3 for Battlefords with them trailing 2-1 midway through the third period was likely the difference. The North Stars played a total of 1:36 up two men, but couldn’t solve Klipper goaltender Justen Close.

Heck said they did get quite a few good looks on that man advantage.

“We executed some of our plays [on the 5-on-3],” he said. “Sometimes you score on your looks and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you’ve got to tip your hat to their goalie, who made some big saves on it too on some good looks that we got.”

Kolby Matthews made 23 saves on 26 shots in his first loss of the season. The rookie now carries a 6-1 record.

With the assist, Young also extended his season-long point streak to 12 games. He is second in league scoring with 28 points in those 12 games.

The North Stars will travel to Humboldt on Wednesday to take on the 10-6-1 Broncos before a rematch in Kindersley with the Klippers on Saturday.

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11