Stars’ teammates congratulate goaltender Austin Schwab, following the 18-year-old’s 35 save performance Friday to backstop his team to victory, 3-2 over the Flin Flon Bombers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back in the win column

Stars snap skid, bounce back with 3-2 win over Bombers

Dec 14, 2019 | 12:05 AM

The Battlefords North Stars snapped their four-game losing skid in style Friday, rebounding for a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Flin Flon Bombers at the Civic Centre.

For the Stars, the win serves as an additional two points in the bank between themselves and the Bombers. Flin Flon entered the weekend just six points back of the Battlefords for top spot overall, while holding a game in hand. That gap is now eight points.

The victory improves the Stars’ record to 27-5-2 on the year. For Flin Flon, the defeat serves as just the second regulation loss the team has suffered over their last 12 games. The Bombers are now 22-7-4 this season.

Stars’ forward, Jaxon Steele led the way for the home side, as the 19-year-old potted his first two goals in the Battlefords’ black and silver. Blue liner Dylan McCabe also chipped in with a goal of his own on the evening.

In goal, netminder, Austin Schwab provided the Stars a solid backbone throughout, stopping 35 of 37 Bombers’ shots to earn the victory.

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With his 35 save victory Friday, Stars’ goalie, Austin Schwab has now posted a sterling 8-1 record through his first nine starts with the team along with a 2.30 goals-against average and .925 save percentage this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

For Flin Flon, Tristan Lemyre scored each of his team’s two goals in the contest in the losing effort while goaltender, Jacob Delorme made 31 saves on 34 Stars’ shots.

McCabe opened the scoring for the Battlefords just over six minutes into the first period.

Capitalizing on a spin around wrister, McCabe’s fourth of the campaign not only cracked the scoreless goose egg, but also served as the lone goal for either side through the opening period.

Despite each side firing 14 shots on goal through the opening frame, at the end of the first, it was 1-0 Stars.

In the second, Flin Flon tied the score 1-1, thanks to Lemyre’s first of the contest and 12^th of the year.

Coming just passed the midway mark of the period, the goal was set up by Cole Rafuse from the corner, on a gorgeous feed to spot Lemyre lurking alone out front.

Just when it looked like the second period would wind down as a tie hockey game, however, the Stars struck late for their first of two power play goals on the night.

Steele’s first as a North Star came with just over five seconds remaining in the period, off a laser beam wrist shot to make it 2-1 Battlefords.

Pictured here: Stars’ teammates gather around to celebrate Jaxon Steele’s first goal in a North Stars’ uniform. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

In the third it was again Lemyre answering back for the Bombers, notching his second of the night and 13^th of the season less than six minutes into the frame to reknot the action, 2-2 on a Bombers’ man advantage.

Steele registered his second of the night, also on the power play at the 13:33 mark to put the Stars ahead for good, 3-2 the final.

The two teams will now get less then 24 hours before returning to action for part two of their back-to-back showdown this weekend, Saturday night at the Civic Centre.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

6:08 BAT Dylan McCabe (4) ASST: Elijah Loon-Stewardson (16), Rylan Nivon (27)

Second period:

11:51 FF Tristan Lemyre (12) ASST: Cole Rafuse (32)

19:54 BAT Jaxon Steele (1) ASST: Matthias Urbanski (19), Ben Hiltz (13) (PP)

Third period:

5:42 FF Tristan Lemyre (13) ASST: Easton Haygarth (25)

13:33 BAT Jaxon Steele (2) ASST: Matthias Urbanski (20), Ben Hiltz (14) (PP)

3-2 North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1