North Stars teammates gather together following Wednesday night's win to clinch their spot in the league Finals. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Sweep Mustangs 4-0

North Stars advance to SJHL Finals with Game 4 win in Melfort

Apr 6, 2023 | 1:28 AM

The Battlefords North Stars became the first team to punch their ticket to the SJHL Finals Wednesday night, with a 5-2 Game 4 win in Melfort.

With the victory, the Stars sweep their semi-finals best-of-seven series with the Mustangs, to advance to the championship series, where they will play the winner between Flin Flon and Humboldt.

Stars’ defenceman Alex Izyk opened the scoring early, with his first of the playoffs on a deflected shot from the left-point to make it 1-0 just under seven minutes in.

Holden Doell’s fourth and Steven Kesslering’s ninth then followed later in the frame, to stretch the lead to 3-0 Battlefords, by the end of the first period.

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Doell’s tally was a power play goal off the far-side post and in, on a dart from the right circle. Kesslering’s came on a breakaway rush in the final minute of the frame, with a quick release through the five-hole.

In the second, Melfort responded with a pair of their own from Zac Somers and Boston Maxwell, just five minutes apart in the early part of the period, to cut the Battlefords’ lead to a single goal heading into the third.

With the season on the line, Melfort would attempt a push early in the final frame, but the Battlefords countered consistently, ultimately outshooting the Mustangs 11-4 over the course of the period.

Kian Bell stretched the Battlefords’ lead to 4-2 on a gorgeous deke move in tight after forcing a turnover in the Melfort zone late, before adding his second of the night and league-leading 13^th as well into the empty net on a long-range shot to seal it; 5-2 the final.

The North Stars will now await their finals opponent, as Humboldt beat Flin Flon in the other semi-finals’ Game 4 Wednesday, taking a 4-1 win over the Bombers to force a Game 5 in Flin Flon Friday (Bombers lead series 3-1).

Regardless of who the North Stars play in the finals series, the team will have home ice, meaning Games 1 and 2 will be played next Friday and Saturday, Apr. 14^th and 15^th.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available both nights 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:

6:44 BAT Alex Izyk (1) ASST: Keiton Klein, Tanner Gold

17:14 BAT Holden Doell (4) ASST: Jake Southgate, Kian Bell (PP)

19:04 BAT Steven Kesslering (9) ASST: Brad Blake

Second period:

2:55 MLF Zac Somers (5) ASST: Aidyn Hutchinson, Riley Ashe

8:21 MLF Boston Maxwell (2) ASST: Leyton Holoien, Wyatt Day

Third period:

18:31 BAT Kian Bell (12) ASST: None

18:56 BAT Kian Bell (13) ASST: None

5-2 North Stars, the final

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1