With seven points (four goals, three assists) through his first two games, North Stars forward Kian Bell has been a force for the Battlefords since rejoining the team. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Bounce Back Win

Bell scores four to lead way as North Stars top Bruins 5-2

Oct 28, 2023 | 12:09 AM

Just a night after picking up three assists in his season debut Thursday, Battlefords North Stars forward Kian Bell cashed in for four goals Friday night, to lead the team to a 5-2 win in Estevan.

Coming less than 24 hours after a tough 10-5 loss in Weyburn, the victory gets the North Stars back in the win column, in a performance Bell said took everyone in the lineup.

“Everyone chipped in, everyone bought in, and we just played a team game tonight,” he said, catching up with battlefordsNOW postgame. “[…] Tonight we stuck together as a team and got a greasy one.”

Alex Izyk opened the scoring for the North Stars with his second of the year, firing a shot bar-down from the right point, off a clean faceoff win by Marshall Light, to make it 1-0 just past the midway mark of the first.

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Bruins’ forward Turner McMillen knotted the score 1-1 just 46 seconds later, converting for his fourth in just his fifth game of the season, off a nifty give-and-go play in tight with Bruins’ captain Keagon Little.

Bell’s first of the night wrapped the scoring for the opening period, coming off another clean faceoff win in the offensive zone, won back by Ben Portner from the left dot.

After Ilia Chmelevski’s fourth of the season re-tied the game late in the middle frame to make it 2-2 after two periods, Bell took over to close the night, scoring three unanswered in the third period to deliver the team to victory.

Bell’s second of the game was a slick wrister from the top of the blue line through traffic, followed by his hat trick tally into the empty net with just under 1:30 to go, to give the North Stars a much-needed insurance marker with the Bruins pushing late.

Bell capped the night with his fourth of the game, and second into the empty net with just eight seconds to go, to make it a 5-2 North Stars final.

North Stars teammates celebrate with goaltender Joey Hawco following Friday night’s win in Estevan. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

With the win, the North Stars improve to 7-6-0-1 on the season and now sit fifth in the league standings, heading into the final game of their three-in-three road swing Saturday night back in Weyburn.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available Saturday on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

10:14 BAT Alex Izyk (2) ASST: Marshall Light 1-0 BAT

11:00 EST Turner McMillen (4) ASST: Keagon Little, Owen Barrow 1-1 Tie

12:39 BAT Kian Bell (1) ASST: Ben Portner 2-1 BAT

Second period:

17:56 EST Ilia Chmelevski (4) ASST: Gabriel Filion, Keagon Little 2-2 Tie

Third period:

4:48 BAT Kian Bell (2) ASST: Tanner Gold 3-2 BAT

18:35 BAT Kian Bell (3) ASST: None 4-2 BAT

19:52 BAT Kian Bell (4) ASST: None 5-2 BAT

5-2 North Stars, the final

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1