The North Stars sit just a single win away from a league championship, heading into Game 4. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

One win from Champions

North Stars with chance to clinch Canterra Seeds Cup in Game 4

Apr 22, 2023 | 2:54 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to play Saturday night in Flin Flon for Game 4 of the SJHL Finals, with their first chance to clinch the league championship.

Leading their best-of-seven Canterra Seeds Cup Finals series 3-0, coming off a 6-2 victory in Game 3 Friday, the Stars need just one more win to claim their first championship since 2019, and third since 2017.

Head coach Brayden Klimosko said heading into the biggest game of the year, the key will be continuing to keep their foot on the pedal with their aggressive pace and up-tempo play.

“The fourth game is always the hardest to win,” Klimosko said. “We know Flin Flon won’t make it easy on us and we’re going to need our best tonight. We have to continue to keep our feet moving, taking time and space away from them in our d-zone, and be quick in transition if they turnover pucks.”

The Stars saw five different players chip in with goals on the night in their Game 3 win, with now eight different scorers having registered at least a single goal through the first three games of the series, and four of those having scored more than one.

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Steven Kesslering’s three goals lead the Stars through the first three games, followed by a pair from each of Jake Southgate, Kian Bell, Colby Bear, and Keiton Klein. Additionally, Jackson Allan, Tynan Ewart, and Jordan Gibbs have also scored for the team.

Colby Bear has been among the best players for the North Stars in the Finals, with two goals, one assist and a scrap already in the series, in addition to his two-way play. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Flin Flon by contrast, have been held to just four goals total over the first three games, with no player having scored more than a single goal in the series.

Kylynn Olafson, Ethan Mercer, Alexi Sylvestre, and Alex Von Sprecken have the Bombers’ four goals, with big gunners such as Cole Duperreault, Jaeden Mercier, Jeremi Tremblay, and Zach Cain having been held off the scoresheet entirely in the series.

A large reason for this has been the Stars’ stifling defensive play, with their blue liners able to play aggressively on the Bombers’ on-rushing forwards, due to a strong defensive presence from the forwards backchecking; of course, this coupled with the outstanding play of goaltender Josh Kotai.

Kotai is coming off a 30/32 save performance in Game 3, and enters play with a league-best 11-1 record, 1.54 goals against average and .948 save percentage.

At the other end, Flin Flon are likely to return to veteran goaltender Harmon Laser-Hume, who has been their workhorse all year, with their season now on the line.

Laser-Hume will be looking to bounce back quickly after allowing five goals against on 18 shots in Game 3. On the playoffs, the 19-year-old is 8-5-2 with a 2.27 goals against and .929 save percentage.

Game 4 from Flin Flon will be available Saturday night on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 6 p.m. with puck drop at 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1