Stars soar to 7-1 win over Hawks

Hawks forward, Braxton Buckberger made it 1-0 Nipawin just passed the midway mark of the first, cashing in on his own rebound for his ninth of the year to put the visitors ahead early.

However, just six minutes later it was Kesslering answering back for the Stars on a persistent play of his own. After deking his way past a pair of defenders, Kesslering snapped a shot on goal, converting on his own rebound for his first of the game and 22^nd of the year.

Just 34 seconds into the second, Kesslering then added another to make it 2-0 Stars, following up a two-on-one between his linemates with a quick shot off the deflected pass to make it 2-1 Stars early in the frame.

Blake added his first of the game and fourth of the year at the 5:31 mark to stretch the lead to 3-1 on a quick shot five-hole on a two-on-one, before his linemate, Bear added his ninth as well just passed the midway mark of the period on a one-timer from the left circle to make it 4-1 Battlefords into the second intermission.

In the third, Wurst’s 13^th made it 5-1 on a quick release in front, before Blake’s second of the game and fifth of the year pushed the game well out of reach at 6-1, on a deft tip play in front of the net.

Stars forward Emmett Wurst (#18) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his 13th of the season, and third point on the night. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

With just under 1:30 to go in the third, Esau added his 22^nd on a silky forehand-backhand move off the rush, to ice the game at 7-1 North Stars, the final.

With the win, the Battlefords improve to 33-16-6 on the year, and pick up another valuable two points. Now fourth overall in the league standings, the team leapfrogged Flin Flon by a single point with the victory, as the Bombers fell 3-2 in regulation to Melfort in the lone other game around the league.

The North Stars keep pace with Melfort who remain three points up for third overall with their win as well, though the Stars still hold two games in-hand.

The North Stars will play Flin Flon next, in their return to action Friday. The Stars’ final game on home ice this season ahead of the playoffs, the contest will have real standings implications as the teams continue to jockey for playoff seeding.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available Friday on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

12:24 NIP Braxton Buckberger (9) ASST: Evan Bortis (13), Alex Johnson (11)

18:26 BAT Steven Kesslering (22) ASST: Dylan Esau (33), Emmett Wurst (9)

Second period:

0:34 BAT Steven Kesslering (23) ASST: Emmett Wurst (10), Dylan Esau (34)

5:31 BAT Bradley Blake (4) ASST: Evan Waldie (5)

11:30 BAT Colby Bear (9) ASST: Jake Southgate (27), Tynan Ewart (25)

Third period:

3:02 BAT Emmett Wurst (13) ASST: Sam Witt (19), Ethan Scriven (13)

17:47 BAT Bradley Blake (5) ASST: Evan Waldie (6), Gavin Granger (1)

18:37 BAT Dylan Esau (22) ASST: None

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Stars soar to 7-1 win over Hawks

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