North Stars cash in for 6-3 win versus Millionaires

Bear’s first of the year opened the scoring for the Battlefords, cashing in on a laser wrister from the slot, off a slick behind-the-back drop pass from Kian Bell to make it 1-0 Stars just under half-way through the first period.

That’s where things remained until the final seconds of the second period, when Millionaires’ captain, Zach Cain one-timed his first of the campaign on a Mills’ power play goal with just two seconds and change to go. Suddenly it was a 1-1 game heading into the third.

Coming out of the second intermission hot, the Millionaires’ Noah Wills gave his team their first lead of the night just 1:26 into the frame, to make it a 2-1 Melville advantage, though it wouldn’t last long.

Just under two minutes later, Grill sniped his first of the year from the blue line for the Battlefords, toe-dragging the puck past the defending forward’s stick, only to wire home a shot high short-side to knot the game 2-2.

Four minutes after that, Kesslering – hot off a hat trick performance Wednesday – picked up where he left off with his team leading fifth of the year, to re-establish the Stars’ lead at 3-2.

Kian Bell picked up a pair of assists Friday, making his North Stars’ debut. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Klein’s fifth came on a power play one-timer from the left circle that overpowered the Melville tender’s glove on its way into the net, to make it 4-2 on the rocket.

Ewart then cashed in for his first of the season on another snipe from the blue line, as he looked around the maze of bodies in front, to place his shot off the far post and into the net; 5-2.

Aston Boschmann scored his first of the year on a Melville power play late to make it 5-3, but that is as close as the Millionaires would come.

Southgate iced the proverbial victory cake with his third of the season – and third in his last two games – into the empty net to seal the victory at 6-3 Stars.

Melville goalie, Jared Thompson was sensational at times early, keeping his team in the game through much of the night. Thompson stopped 34 of 39 Stars’ shots, including 16-of-17 in the first period alone.

Next up for the North Stars will be back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday at the SJHL Showcase in Warman. The Stars will open the Showcase Tuesday afternoon against the Weyburn Red Wings.

Tuesday’s game will be available on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 4 p.m., with puck drop at 4:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

8:05 BAT Colby Bear (1) ASST: Kian Bell (1), Tanner Gold (3)

Second period:

19:57 MLV Zach Cain (1) ASST: Louis-Fredric Theberge (1), Carter McKay (1) (PP)

Third period:

1:26 MLV Noah Wills (1) ASST: None

3:21 BAT Jordan Grill (1) ASST: Wilson Steele (3), Keiton Klein (1)

6:33 BAT Steven Kesslering (5) ASST: Evan Waldie (2), Wilson Steele (4)

7:58 BAT Keiton Klein (5) ASST: Jordan Grill (2), Kian Bell (2) (PP)

10:00 BAT Tynan Ewart (1) ASST: Keiton Klein (2), Jake Southgate (3) (PP)

17:34 MLV Ashton Boschmann (1) ASST: Colby Ball (1) (PP)

19:11 BAT Jake Southgate (3) ASST: None (EN)

6-3 North Stars, the final

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars cash in for 6-3 win versus Millionaires

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