Killer ‘B’: Stars’ forward, Kaden Boser picked up the game winning goal Friday night in Game 1, to once again prove his clutch factor. Dating back to last year, Boser has scored four playoff goals, with all four being game winning tallies. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back to business

North Stars look for repeat performance in Game 2 versus Hawks

Mar 7, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Coming off a 3-0 blanking of the Nipawin Hawks Friday night in Game 1, the Battlefords North Stars will be hungry to keep the momentum rolling Saturday, in Game 2 at the Civic Centre.

The victory gave the Stars a 1-0 lead in the teams’ best-of-seven first round playoff series.

As expected heading into the matchup, goaltending was at the forefront in Game 1, with both Kristian Lyon and Ross Hawryluk standing tall to set the tone from the opening contest.

Lyon shut the door for the Stars, stopping all 34 shots he faced to earn a shutout in his North Stars’ playoff debut, while Hawryluk made 44 saves on 47 Stars’ shots to keep his team in the game throughout, including a game-saving stop on a Matthias Urbanski penalty shot in the third period.

Perhaps the biggest statistical advantage between the two sides heading into the series, was the depth of offensive punch packed by the North Stars, who finished the regular season averaging just under four goals per-game (2^nd), compared to Nipawin, who averaged just over three per contest (7^th).

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That depth of offense has paid early dividends for the Battlefords, as three players from three different lines cashed in for the Stars in their opening win. Kaden Boser’s ice breaking goal stood as the game winner, while Jaxon Steele and Elijah Loon-Stewardson cashed in during the third to cement the victory for their team.

The return to the lineup of Rylan Nivon (out since Jan. 15) and Steven Kesslering (out since Feb. 7) also played a key role for the Battlefords, with the pair each chipping in with an assist on the night.

A development to monitor heading into Game 2 will be the use of Hawks’ captain, Jake Tremblay, who also made a key return to the lineup for his team Friday, in Game 1.

The proverbial ‘straw that stirs the drink’ on the Hawks’ offense, Tremblay (out since Feb. 5) made his return after missing the last nine games of the regular season due to injury. Starting on the right wing on a unit alongside Brodie Girod and bruising winger Jordan Simoneau, it wasn’t long until the Pense, Sask., product was shifted back to his natural center-ice position with the forward playing big minutes throughout the night’s contest.

The North Stars’ manufactured checking unit of Dylan Esau, Carson Reagan and Logan Spence started the game against the big line, and imposed their will physically throughout the night’s contest. This matchup will be one to continue to keep an eye on as the series progresses.

Saturday night’s Game 2 will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB and CJNB.ca. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars playoff schedule, Round 1 vs. Nipawin Hawks:

Game #1: Stars win 3-0; lead series 1-0

Game #2: Sat., Mar. 7 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

Game #3: Tues., Mar. 10 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

Game #4 Wed., Mar. 11 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #5 Fri., Mar. 13 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*Game #6 Sun., Mar. 15 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #7 Tues., Mar. 17 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*indicates if needed.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1