North Stars' defenseman Tanner Gold has been a force all playoffs matching up against top players on the opposition. Here he's seen tangling with Bombers' forward Jaeden Mercier. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Scene Shifts to Flin Flon

North Stars with chance to take Finals series stranglehold in Game 3

Apr 21, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday night, as the scene shifts to Flin Flon for the first time, in Game 3 of the SJHL Finals.

The North Stars enter the weekend with a 2-0 series lead in their best-of-seven with the rival Bombers, after winning the first two games last weekend, 5-2 and 3-0 on home ice, in the Battlefords.

Head coach Brayden Klimosko said heading into the third game, his team will have to continue to push the pace.

“I think playing with the speed we have been the last couple of games is key,” Klimosko said. “We need to continue to put pressure on Flin Flon in the offensive end.”

Just two wins from a league championship heading into the weekend, Klimosko said the other key will be staying focused on the game in front of them, with the big picture taking care of itself if they can do that.

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“We just have to worry about one shift at a time,” the coach said. “If we worry too much about what is at the end, we will lose focus on the task at hand.”

The Stars have seen all four lines make an impact through the early part of the series, as six different players have chipped in with at least a single goal through the first two games.

That depth of offense was highlighted by a two-goal, four-point night from the checking unit of Colby Bear (2G, 1A), Keiton Klein (1G) and Jordan Grill to open the series in Game 1, followed by another two goals and four points from the Jackson Allan unit in Game 2, that saw Allan (1G), Steven Kesslering (1G, 1A) and Brad Blake instrumental in the team’s win.

All this has come in addition to continued dominance from the top line of Holden Doell, Jake Southgate and Kian Bell, who have continued to make their mark on a legendary run.

Southgate opened the series with a three-point night (2G, 1A), and leads the club with four points so far in the series, while Doell is coming off a two-assist effort in Game 2, and Bell has a goal and three points to open the series.

Southgate (21 points), Bell (20 points) and Doell (18 points) sit top-three in league scoring these playoffs, with a chance to become the first trio of teammates to each finish with a 20-point playoff since the Melfort Mustangs’ Adam Fauchoux, Tristan Frei and Travis Mayan did so back in 2015.

At the other end, Flin Flon have been held to just two goals total through the opening two games, and will be looking to their big gunners to break through in their aim to get right back in the series.

Ethan Mercer and Kylynn Olafson have scored the Bombers’ two goals, while Flin Flon superstars Cole Duperreault, Jaeden Mercier, Zach Cain, and Jeremi Tremblay still have yet to register a point in the series.

In goal, North Stars’ netminder Josh Kotai enters play Friday as the ultimate difference maker through the first two games of the series, having stopped 61 of Flin Flon’s first 63 shots for a .968 save percentage so far these Finals.

On the playoffs as a whole, Kotai is 10-1 with a 1.41 goals against average and .949 save percentage.

At the other end, Harmon Laser-Hume will be looking to bounce back after allowing four goals on 29 shots in Game 2, still with a .938 save percentage on the post-season.

Friday’s Game 3 in Flin Flon will be available on 1050 CJNB, with game time an hour earlier than usual. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 6 p.m. with puck drop at 6:30 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1