Stars’ teammates gather around goaltender Kristian Lyon in celebration, following Friday night’s 4-2 double up of the Melfort Mustangs at the Civic Centre. With the win, the team has now taken six straight at home. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

doubling up

Stars bridle Mustangs to take 4-2 win, sweep season-series

Feb 8, 2020 | 12:16 AM

Despite a desperate push from the visitors late, the Battlefords North Stars wrangled a 4-2 victory over the Melfort Mustangs Friday night at the Civic Centre.

Four different Stars scored for the team in the win, as Jaxon Steele, Noah Form, Ben Hiltz and Quintin Loon-Stewardson each chipped in for the Stars, while netminder Kristian Lyon made 25 saves for the win.

Melfort’s Shawn Parkinson stopped 22-of-25 shots in the loss while Tyson Meyers and Kenzie Arnold answered with goals for the Mustangs; but the comeback bit was too little, too late.

The victory gives the Battlefords a perfect 4-0 season-series sweep over Melfort, and serves as the team’s 13th win over their last 15 games.

With the win Friday, Kristian Lyon has now posted a perfect 5-0 record since joining the North Stars, to go along with a sparkling 1.80 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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Following a scoreless opening period, Jaxon Steele drew first blood for the Stars, cashing in for his 10^th of the season just 12 seconds into a Battlefords’ five-minute man advantage.

Adding to his team’s lead, blue liner Noah Form then made it 2-0 Stars on his 10^th as well, cashing in just seconds after the power play had expired.

Leading 2-0 at the end of two periods, the North Stars made it 3-0, on a Ben Hiltz breakaway bid. Slipping the puck home between the legs of the hopeless Melfort goalie, Hiltz’ tally served as the forward’s 18^th of the campaign and third in three games.

To their credit though, the Mustangs refused to trot off quietly into the night. Tyson Meyers’ 14^th came at the 13:30 mark of the third, before Kenzie Arnold scored his 20^th as well, to get his team within a single goal. Just like that, it was 3-2.

Pictured here: Stars’ forward Kaden Boser renews acquaintances with the Mustangs’ Kyle Bosch. Friday night’s matchup between the North Stars and Mustangs had a little bit of everything; together the teams combined for six goals and 115 penalty minutes on the night. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Rather than panic though, the North Stars stood strong and locked things down at the most imperative point of the night. Quintin Loon-Stewardson then sealed the deal with his team-leading 28^th of the year, into the empty net to make it 4-2 Stars, the final.

The victory serves as the North Stars’ 40^th of the season and gives the team 82 points on the year, good for an 11-point lead on second place, Flin Flon.

The loss meanwhile, keeps things tight in the playoff race for the Mustangs. With 56 points, Melfort falls to sixth overall and now sit one point back of La Ronge, while holding a game in-hand on the Ice Wolves.

The North Stars will now look to keep the ball rolling, as the team returns to action at the Civic Centre Saturday night against Melville.

Saturday’s game against the Millionaires 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:

No scoring

Second period:

13:17 BAT Jaxon Steele (10) ASST: Austin Becker (33), Ben Hiltz (27) (PP)

18:12 BAT Noah Form (10) ASST: Austin Becker (34), Ben Hiltz (28)

Third period:

8:57 BAT Ben Hiltz (18) ASST: Jaxon Steele (10), Noah Form (23)

13:30 MLF Tyson Meyers (14) ASST: Tian Rask (9)

16:25 MLF Kenzie Arnold (20) ASST: Lucas Ochitwa (10)

18:54 BAT Quintin Loon-Stewardson (28) ASST: Austin Becker (35) (EN)

4-2 North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1