L-R: Josh Kotai, Kian Bell, and Tanner Gold have been recognized for their lights out play, in the SJHL Players of the Week. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

League-wide recognition

North Stars shine in SJHL Players of the Week

Apr 11, 2023 | 3:14 PM

A trio of Battlefords North Stars have been named to the SJHL Players of the Week for their performance over the team’s back-to-back wins in Melfort in games three and four, to sweep their semi-finals series with the Mustangs and advance to the SJHL Finals.

Kian Bell was recognized as the SJHL MVP of the Week, while Tanner Gold was named Defenceman of the Week, and Josh Kotai Goaltender of the Week.

Kian Bell – MVP of Week

The SJHL’s regular season MVP, scoring champion, and Player of the Year, Bell has only continued to ratchet up his play this post-season.

Leading all players in goals (13) and sitting second in league points (18) in just nine playoff games, Bell registered three goals and an assist in the final two games of the Stars’ series versus Melfort, which included scoring the 1-0 double OT winner in game three, and another two goals and assist in the clinching 5-2 game four victory.

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Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said it’s been special to see what Bell has been able to bring to the team all season, with his mix of game-breaking ability and compete a key element to their success.

“He’s dangerous any time he has the puck in that slot area, and if you give him time and space, watch out,” Klimosko said. “I think the one area he maybe doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves is his defensive play. He defends hard, competes hard, and he’s definitely deserving of MVP of the Week.”

Tanner Gold – Defenceman of the Week

The Medicine Hat product picked up a pair of assists in the Stars’ two wins last week, in addition to his usual heavy-lifting on the defensive end, matching up often against the Mustangs’ top line, centered by Melfort captain Ben Tkachuk.

Gold logged 33 minutes of ice time in the game three double-overtime victory for the Stars, before adding his two helpers in the clinching game four win.

Defenceman Tanner Gold has been a pillar of strength and consistency all season on the North Stars’ backend, facing top opposition each night. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Klimosko said it is nice to see Gold recognized for his contributions to the team’s success over the last week, as he has been a core piece on the backend all year.

“He’s probably our unsung hero of our team; I don’t think people give him the credit he deserves at times, as he is a big defender for us and you don’t know what you have until he’s gone for a couple of games [late in the season],” Klimosko said.

“Three of our losses [of eight total in the regular season] were with him out of our lineup and it really just shows what he means to our group and he deserves this.”

Josh Kotai – Goaltender of the Week

A rock between the pipes for the Battlefords all season long, the SJHL’s Top Goaltender has also been at his best these playoffs.

Kotai made 44 saves to shutout the Mustangs in game three, before adding another 22/24 in the clinching game, to backstop the team to the four-game sweep.

Klimosko said Kotai’s game three performance was a microcosm of his play all season, coming up large in the biggest moments for the team.

“That was a big game that we really needed him for,” Klimosko said. “I think Melfort outplayed us [that game], and he shut them down when he had to, so that was a bit part of why we were able to sweep the Mustangs.”

On the playoffs as a whole, Kotai is 8-1 with a shimmering 1.60 goals against average and .945 save percentage.

The North Stars will open their Finals series with the Flin Flon Bombers this weekend, with games one and two this Friday and Saturday night at the ACC in North Battleford.

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

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1