Defencemen Tanner Gold of the North Stars and Matt Kjemhus of the Millionaires have been pillars of strength for their teams defensively all season, and at the forefront of their hard-nosed first-round series. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Series shifts to Melville

North Stars look to take series stranglehold on Mills in Game 3

Mar 26, 2024 | 2:46 PM

Following a hard-fought, tight-checking opening two games in North Battleford over the weekend, the Battlefords North Stars return to action in Melville Tuesday night, for Game 3 of the team’s first round playoff series with the Melville Millionaires.

As the series shifts locations to Melville’s CN Community Centre, for the first of what will be two games Tuesday and Wednesday night, head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said that while the location may change, the key for his team will be continuing to play the same way they have to start the series.

“We’re going to need the same effort that we’ve had the last two games,” Klimosko said. “It’s going to be the same type of game, it’s going to be tight-checking and it’s going to be defensive, so we’re going to have to make sure we’re continuing to do those things to continue to see success. That’s the main message – to keep playing the same way as we did at home.”

That commitment to team defence has seen the Battlefords limit Melville to just two goals total through the first two games, including just a single goal at even-strength, while outscoring the Millionaires 4-1 at 5-on-5.

North Stars’ goaltender, Logan Cunngham has been a force all series, making big saves at key times and providing rock-solid play throughout. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW)

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Key veterans Brad Blake and Alex Izyk both scored their first of the playoffs in Game 2 to lead the way for the team, after the top line trio of Kian Bell, Ben Portner and Brayden Sinclair combined for four goals and seven points in the Game 1 victory.

Goaltending, which has been the 1A storyline in the series, along with the tight-checking play, should also continue to take centre-stage in Game 3.

North Stars’ goalie Logan Cunningham is coming off a 31-save performance in Game 2, having stopped 58 of his first 60 shots-faced through the opening two games. He enters Game 3 with a sparkling 1.00 goals against average and .967 save percentage in the series.

William Dyke of the Millionaires has also been excellent, coming off a 31-save effort in Game 2 to keep his team in it right to the final horn. Dyke has stopped 52 of the Stars’ first 56 shots, for a 2.02 goals against average and .929 save percentage in the series, heading into Tuesday.

Game 3 from Melville will be available on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.

North Stars vs Millionaires First Round schedule:

Game 1: 4-1 North Stars, final

Game 2: 2-1 North Stars, final

Game 3: Tues., March 26 @ CN Community Centre, MLV (7 p.m.)

Game 4: Wed., March 27 @CN Community Centre, MLV (7 p.m.)

*Game 5: Fri., March 29 @ Access Communications Centre, NB (7:30 p.m.)

*Game 6: Sun., March 31 @CN Community Centre, MLV (6 p.m.)

*Game 7: Tues., April 2 @ Access Communications Centre, NB (7:30 p.m.)

*If needed

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1