Click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter

Stars open weekend with a bang against Bombers

Nov 16, 2018 | 10:10 PM

The Battlefords North Stars defeated the Flin Flon Bombers 3-1 Friday night to kick off their three-game in three-nights homestand on a positive note.

After a scoreless first period that saw the North Stars outshoot the Bombers by a 19-7 count, it was the visitors who drew first blood in the second, going up 1-0 just passed the half-way mark thanks to defenseman Calvon Boots’ fifth goal of the season and 26th point of the year, the most among defensemen this season.

The North Stars responded in short order, courtesy of a defenseman of their own, Jacob Bayne. With Stars’ forward MacGregor Sinclair in control of the puck carrying it into the zone with his head up to make a play, Bayne took it upon himself to jump up and join the rush fending off an opposition d-man to drive hard to the far side post of the Bombers’ net.

As if perfectly on cue, a feathery saucer pass left the tape of Sinclair, almost as if spreading wings to float its way over the impeding defender’s stick and off the 18-year-old Bayne, passed the goaltender and in.

Continuing to press, it was the captain Cody Spagrud who delivered his team their first lead of the contest, a lead they would not relinquish. Surveying his options with the puck on his stick at centre, but finding teammates making their way to the bench on a change, Spagrud utilized his mobility and tremendous poise with the puck on his stick to fly into the zone, before then zipping a cross-crease pass that deflected off an opposition stick and in.

Spagrud’s fifth of the season also matched his previous career high, set two seasons ago with the Stars.

Finally, within the final half-minute of regulation, the North Stars cashed in on an insurance marker, when Matthias Urbanski scored an empty net goal to seal his team’s win.

The North Stars are back in action Saturday, taking on the Bombers for the second straight night at the Civic Centre. Fans of the North Stars can catch all of the action, beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

 

Scoring summary

First period:

No scoring

Second period:

10:18 Calvon Boots (5) ASST: Alec Cokley (6)

11:57 BAT Jacob Bayne (2) ASST: MacGregor Sinclair (17), Quintin Loon-Stewardson (3)

Third period:

19:33 BAT Matthias Urbanski (12) ASST: Braydon Buziak (12) (EN)

3-1 North Stars, Final

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1