The North Stars will get a pair of days off to practice and get ready, ahead of semi-finals action Saturday, receiving a bye through the quarterfinals as the top seed in their Group. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Receive Bye to Semis

North Stars clinch top seed in Group B, with Portage win over Collingwood

May 17, 2023 | 10:20 PM

The host Portage Terriers did themselves and the Battlefords North Stars a favour Wednesday night, topping the Collingwood Blues 3-2 in regulation time, to clinch the Battlefords top spot in Group B of the Centennial Cup, heading into the playoff rounds.

A 2-2 game into the final minute of play, Portage pulled their goalie, needing a regulation win to finish second in the Group in their own right, scoring the game-winner with just over 20 seconds to go, when Ryan Botterill cashed in to bring both Terriers’ and North Stars’ fans in attendance to their feet in jubilant applause.

Serving as the final game of round robin play, here is how the standings shape up heading into the playoff rounds for the top three of each Group.

Group A:

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1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) 4-0-0-0; 12 points

2. Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) 1-1-1-1; 6 points

3. Yarmouth Mariners (MHL) 1-0-2-1; 4 points

Group B:

1. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) 3-0-1-0; 9 points (beat Portage head-to-head for tie-breaker)

2. Portage Terriers (MJHL) 3-0-1-0; 9 points

3. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) 2-1-1-0; 8 points

Finishing first in their group, both the Battlefords and Brooks will receive a bye to the semi-finals Saturday.

For the other playoff teams, the #2 seed will play the #3 seed in a crossover, meaning:

The #2 Ottawa Jr. Senators will play the #3 Collingwood Blues in one of the quarter-final games Friday, while the #2 Portage Terriers play the #3 Yarmouth Mariners in the other.

The winners of each game Friday will then advance to the semis Saturday, with one (TBD) facing the Battlefords North Stars, and the other facing the Brooks Bandits.

The North Stars semi-finals game Saturday will be at either 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, as Brooks have first choice as to which time slot they want as the top seed overall.

Either way, the North Stars semi-final game will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show beginning 30 minutes prior to puck drop on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

Stay tuned to battlefordsNOW for the latest, when the semi-final game times and opponents are determined.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1