It was a frustrating night offensively for the North Stars, who were shut out for the first time this season Saturday night in Kindersley. The team has been held to two goals or fewer in each of their last five games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Midst of Adversity

North Stars blanked 2-0 in Kindersley, fall in fourth straight

Dec 7, 2019 | 11:20 PM

The Battlefords North Stars fell 2-0 to the Kindersley Klippers Saturday night at West Central Events Centre in Kindersley.

For the Stars, the loss marked the team’s fourth straight, but first by more than a single goal over the skid.

For the second night in a row, Klippers’ goalie, Matt Sankner led his team to victory. Following a 40 save performance on 42 Stars’ shots Friday, the 19-year-old picked up a 32-stop performance Saturday for his first career shutout victory.

Jacob Schnapp opened the scoring for the Klippers, making it 1-0 midway through the first period on a quick shot from just in front of the goal line while driving wide on a defender. The forward’s sixth of the season, the goal served as the lone tally for either side over the opening two periods.

Following a scoreless second, Kindersley’s Ethan King made it 2-0 just under a minute into the third period on his second of the year. King’s marker would cap the night’s scoring as Kindersley took the contest, 2-0 the final.

BODY-WORM CAMERAS

RCMP begins nationwide rollout of body cameras for frontline officers

1h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

7h ago

North West U15 AA Sharks

AA Sharks continue success with tournament win in Regina

8h ago

Stars’ goalie, Adam Dmyterko stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced on the night in the loss.

Despite the defeat, the Stars remain in top spot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings at 26-5-2 on the year, through their opening 33 games.

The team’s lead over second place, Flin Flon has diminished, however. With 5-3 Bombers’ victory Saturday over Nipawin, Flin Flon now sits just eight points back of the Battlefords, while holding two games in hand.

The North Stars will now get almost a full week off to rest up and regroup, before returning to action Dec. 13 and 14 for back-to-back games against that second-place Bombers’ squad in a two-part heavyweight tilt in the Battlefords.

Both Friday and Saturday’s games 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:

12:35 KIN Jacob Schnapp (6) ASST: Tyler Traptow (11), Brendon Borbely (8)

Second period:

No scoring

Third period:

0:55 KIN Ethan King (2) ASST: Scott McKenzie (20)

2-0 Klippers, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1