Shooting Stars: North Stars’ teammates gather around goaltender, Austin Schwab to celebrate Friday’s 6-3 victory over the Bruins. With the win, the Stars have now won 16 of their last 17 games, and 23 of 25 this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars keep shine

Stars send Bruins to early hibernation with 6-3 beatdown in Battlefords

Nov 22, 2019 | 11:18 PM

After a more than a full week off since their last game action, the Battlefords North Stars returned to the ice Friday night at the Civic Centre, only to continue on their dominant path to a 6-3 final over the Estevan Bruins in the Battlefords.

Stars’ forward, Brett Gammer potted two goals and a helper on the night, while Seth Summers and Steven Kesslering each chipped in a goal and assist in the effort. Stars’ captain, Matthew Fletcher and winger Elijah Loon-Stewardson also scored in the victory.

In goal, netminder, Austin Schwab stopped 29 of 32 shots for the win.

Estevan’s Dayton Deics, Tyler Savage and Isaiah Thomas scored in the loss, while Bruins’ goalie, Keenan Rancier made 31 saves on 36 shots-against.

With the win, the Stars improve to 23-2 on the season, while the Bruins fall to 8-12-3 on the year.

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While the end score may appear lopsided, Friday’s victory was anything but easy for the Stars, who had to overcome adversity to find success.

Estevan opened the scoring on the night just 4:19 into the first period.

Deics’ first of the season and first career Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) goal made it 1-0 Bruins early.

Savage then built on the visitors’ lead further, chalking up his fourth of the campaign to make it 2-0 just-passed the midway mark of the opening frame.

Rather than be discouraged by their setback however, the Stars continued to press.

The team was rewarded with Steven Kesslering’s third of the season. The tally came at the 16:51 mark of the first, off a nice feed from Dace Prymak in front. It made the game a one-goal contest once again, at 2-1 Bruins.

Heading into the second still trailing, the Battlefords continued their barrage in the middle frame.

After serving his minor penalty for slashing, Seth Summers stepped foot back on the ice from the penalty box at just the right time.

Like every hockey players’ dream, Summers returned to play just in time for Brett Gammer to hit him with an aerial flip-pass. Knocking down the puck as he broke in on goal, Summers then faked forehand for just a moment, before pulling it to his backhand to hoist it high over the goalie, top shelf.

Not only a highlight-reel goal, Summers’ effort also got the Stars back on even footing for the first time at 2-2.

Despite dominating large stretches of the middle period, Summers’ goal was the only breakthrough the team could get in the second.

In fact, the Bruins struck back for one of their own before the end of the period as well. Isaiah Thomas’ ninth of the season came on a two-on-one the sniper put home 14-inches, stick-side.

At that, the Stars were trailing again. 3-2 Estevan heading into the third period.

Despite a close count in shots (21-17 Stars) and a one-goal Bruins’ lead, the North Stars had imposed their will through much of the second, but remained behind.

But in the third, the proverbial dam would break. After again being stonewalled through the first half of the third, the captain came through once again, as leadership personified.

Blue liner, Matthew Fletcher fired home his sixth of the season at the 12:03 mark of the regulation time period to make it 3-3. This time, the Stars were coming back for good.

Barely over a minute later, Gammer also etched his name in the goal column, cashing for his eighth of the season. At 4-3, the goal served as his team’s first lead of the night.

Still not done, Gammer also added another for just good measure about four minutes later for his ninth. Capitalizing on a turnover deep in the Bruins’ zone, Gammer’s second made it 5-3 and served as the icing on the victory cake.

Then, with the Bruins’ goalie pulled, Elijah Loon-Stewardson plopped the cherry on top of the icing, notching his eighth of the season into the empty net to seal the scoring on the night; 6-3 Stars, the final.

The North Stars will now look to ride Friday’s momentum on a quick turnaround, as the team will return to action Saturday evening against the Weyburn Red Wings.

Once again taking place at the Civic Centre, Saturday’s game will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

4:19 EST Dayton Deics (1) ASST: CJ Corazzin (3), Tanner Manz (10)

12:52 EST Tyler Savage (4) ASST: Troy Hamilton (7), Griffin Asham-Moroz (9)

16:51 BAT Steven Kesslering (3) ASST: Dace Prymak (6), Matthias Urbanski (13)

Second period:

6:29 BAT Seth Summers (4) ASST: Brett Gammer (13)

14:36 EST: Isaiah Thomas (9) ASST: Jayden Davis (13), Kolton Leslie (2)

Third period:

12:03 BAT Matthew Fletcher (6) ASST: Seth Summers (16), Ryland McNinch (3)

13:09 BAT Brett Gammer (8), Steven Kesslering (7)

17:17 BAT Brett Gammer (9) ASST: None

18:59 BAT Elijah Loon-Stewardson (8) ASST: Austin Becker (16) (EN)

6-3 North Stars, the Final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1