Josh Medernach of the North Stars and Joel Mabin of the Millionaires, pictured here in the post-series handshake line, following Game 4 Wednesday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Road to the semis

North Stars first round recap versus Millionaires

Mar 29, 2024 | 10:00 AM

The Battlefords North Stars wrapped up their first-round playoff series with the Melville Millionaires Wednesday night, with a thrilling Game 4 overtime win, to sweep the teams’ best-of-seven series and advance to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) semifinals.

The victory concluded what was a tight-checking and gritty opening-round series between the fourth-seeded North Stars and fifth-place Millionaires, which featured stellar goaltending and some timely comebacks throughout.

Game 1:

Despite its 4-1 final score, Game 1 in North Battleford remained tight to the finish as a 2-1 North Stars’ lead into the final 1:38 of regulation, when the team added a pair of empty netters to put the game away.

The North Stars’ top line of Kian Bell (two goals, two assists), Ben Portner (one goal, one assist), and Brayden Sinclair (one goal) combined to lead the way offensively, scoring all four Battlefords’ goals and a total of seven points on the night.

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Ben Portner of the North Stars locks up on a faceoff with Melville’s Bradley Banach, as the pair saw a lot of each other over the course of the four-game series. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

In goal, Logan Cunningham of the North Stars stopped 31-of-32 to backstop the team to the win. William Dyke of the Millionaires made 31 saves on 33 shots, to keep his team in it to the final (rowdy) minutes.

The full story of Game 1 can be found here.

Game 2:

Back on home ice for Game 2 in North Battleford the following night, this time the North Stars saw a pair of veterans from last year’s championship roster lead the way. Both Brad Blake and Alex Izyk scored their first of the post-season apiece while receiving another stellar 27-save effort on 28 shots faced from goaltender, Logan Cunningham.

Among the highlights defensively for the Battlefords was a successful 5-on-3 penalty kill, turned 6-on-3, with the Millionaires pushing for the lead late with the goalie pulled.

The full story of Game 2 can be found here.

Game 3:

Shifting locations to Melville for Game 3 Tuesday, the Millionaires came out flying in their return to home ice, striking early for the first two goals of the game, from forwards Hudson Norris and Bradley Banach.

However, not enough to withstand a determined North Stars’ attack, the Battlefords would rally from a 2-0 deficit in the first, turned 3-1 by the third, on their way to a 5-3 win led by an incredible three-goal, five-point night from two-time MVP, Kian Bell.

The full story of Game 3 can be found here.

Game 4:

A 1-1 game at the end of the first, and 2-2 score by the end of third, Game 4’s series-clinching victory featured no shortage of dramatics. Blake and Hunter Burgeson scored for the North Stars in regulation, exchanging tallies with Melville’s Joel Mabin and Euan Morrison, to set the stage for overtime.

In sudden-death OT, Rylan Williams notched the game-winner and series-clincher on his first career playoff goal.

The full story of Game 4 can be found here.

What’s next?

The North Stars now await the outcome of the rest of the first-round series, to determine their opponent in the semifinals. With #1 Flin Flon having also punched their ticket to round two with a series sweep of the #8 Kindersley Klippers, just two series remain to determine who plays who in the final four.

The #2 Melfort Mustangs currently hold a 3-1 series lead on the #7 Estevan Bruins, while the #3 Humboldt Broncos and #6 Weyburn Red Wings sit tied 2-2 through four games. Assuming Melfort can close their series out, a Humboldt win would see the #4 North Stars play #1 Flin Flon, while the #2 Mustangs would play the #3 Broncos. A Weyburn win would see the #6 Red Wings draw #1 Flin Flon, and the #4 North Stars get #2 Melfort.

Regardless of second round opponent, the North Stars will kick off their semifinals series with the opening two games next Thursday and Friday (Apr. 4 and 5).

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1