Team Black won the day’s festivities, taking home the trophy at the end of the friendly competition. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Fun at Practice

North Stars host annual 3-on-3 tourney

Nov 20, 2020 | 3:42 PM

After receiving the news yesterday afternoon that their games this weekend versus Flin Flon would be postponed, the Battlefords North Stars made sure to still get the blood pumping Friday morning at the Civic Centre.

To help add a little competitive wrinkle to the fold, the team held their second annual 3-on-3 tournament, during their regularly-scheduled practice time.

Head coach, Brayden Klimosko said it was a great way to keep the competitive juices flowing, while also just serving as a fun day for the boys to enjoy, playing the game they love.

“I thought it was exciting, and really good competition,” Klimosko said. “The intensity was good, and it was good to see [Stars’ goalie coach, Joel Grzybowski] back in the net. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to have some positivity for the boys, so overall it was a great day.”

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Team Black won the day’s festivities, taking home the trophy at the end of the friendly competition.

Stars’ forward Carson Reagan was a member of team black, and had a little bit of fun with the media following the day’s event, explaining the keys to his team’s success.

“I think it was our heart, our grit and that we never gave up,” he said with a smile. “When other guys’ gas tanks ran out, we just kept going, so our cardio pushed us today.”

However, the players weren’t the only ones having a good time playing the game. Coaches Brayden Klimosko and Rob Holoien also suited up to take part, along with the aforementioned Grzybowski, who backstopped the North Stars to a 2019 league championship in his last game at the Civic Centre, two years ago.

Stars’ goalie, Joel Grzybowski didn’t miss a beat, suiting up for the 3-on-3 game Friday at the Civic Centre. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Grzybowski said while he may not have been quite at his playoff MVP level Friday, getting back on the ice with the boys is always something he enjoys.

“I don’t know if I was in prime [form,] but it was definitely a good time,” Grzybowski said after practice. “I like coming out here to work with the goalies too; I remember how much it meant to me working with Travis Harrington [as a junior player] and it’s nice to be able to switch roles now. Hopefully I can help these guys out a bit as well with their game.”

Perhaps assistant coach, Rob Holoien summed up the mood of the day best.

When asked if he was as fast as he remembered back in his own junior hockey playing days, Holoien couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“Oh no, definitely not.. I lost a step or three I’d say,” Holoien laughed. “But it was just good to see the boys out there smiling and laughing today. We’ve had 25 practices and only three games to this point, so it was important to have a little bit of fun today and great to see that comaraderie amongst the group.”

The North Stars are hopeful to be able to play Flin Flon Tuesday and Wednesday next week, at the Civic Centre. The Bombers are still awaiting approval from the provincial government and Health Authority to resume their season in Saskatchewan, but a decision is expected to be announced in the coming days.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1