The Barons took a 2-0 series lead over North East in Sunday's win (Brady Lang/BattlefordsNOW staff)

By Brady Lang

big barons win

Barons take stranglehold on series with win over Wolfpack

Mar 18, 2019 | 9:35 AM

The Battlefords Midget AA Barons are in a great spot heading back to Tisdale.

The team beat the North East Wolfpack yesterday afternoon by a score of 6-2, pushing the series to the brink of elimination for the Wolfpack. The Barons rode a wave of momentum throughout the second, and early into the third, to jump past the Wolfpack.

Leading the charge was Battlefords assistant captain Colby Friedrich. Friedrich, who registered a hat trick in game one, was able to replicate that success at the Civic Centre, getting another three goals, pushing his post season total to 16. Friedrich was all smiles following the win, his sixth of the series.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s something I would never even dream of. It’s taken this team to another level, I’m happy my teammates are finding me out there, it’s awesome.”

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The Barons were berated with shots in the third, especially in the final few minutes. Goaltender Cameron Taylor was able to shut the door, stopping 32 out of a possible 34 in the win. Friedrich says, that’s nothing new from the netminder.

“It was so awesome; I’ve played with him for a while now. Just seeing him do that, it’s nothing new to any of us on this team. It’s awesome that he’s holding his ground back there for us,” he said.

Battleford opened up the scoring, just 39 seconds into the first when Matthew Sacrey snuck one past Parker Sturby to open up the game. It took Northeast little time to respond, scoring 4:27 into the opening frame.

In the second, the floodgates opened. Zane Florence popped in a power play goal, and then it was the Friedrich show. He scored two straight goals in the second, helping the team to a 4-1 lead heading into the room for the second intermission.

It was North East who struck back in the third, just under seven minutes in to the frame. Dagan Carlson snuck one under the bar to deduct the Barons lead to 4-2. Florence then struck for his second of the night, a power play tally to regain that three goal cushion.

The Wolfpack were then playing desperate, pulling Sturby at the four minute mark of the third. They put everything on net, but Taylor shut the door and Friedrich solidified his hat-trick with 29 seconds to go, putting an exclamation mark on the win.

The series now switches scenes to Tisdale on Friday at 8 p.m. Friedrich says it’s all about preparation now, and finding a key to turn for a quick start in Tisdale.

“Hit practice on Tuesday pretty hard,” he said. “Get some more flow going, we’re going to try and get a good 20 under us and come out with another solid second and third and get the win.”

The winner will set a date with either the Regina Vics or Swift Current for the league title. Swift Current currently leads that best of five, 2-0.

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brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangBFN