It was a tough night for the North Stars Wednesday, as the team outshot the Nipawin Hawks 37-21 on the night, but fell 4-1 in front of the hometown crowd. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

playing the spoiler

Hawks snap streak, hand Stars 4-1 loss at home

Jan 8, 2020 | 11:07 PM

The Battlefords North Stars fell 4-1 to the Nipawin Hawks Wednesday night at the Civic Centre.

The Hawks’ victory snapped a five-game winning streak for the Battlefords, while also giving Nipawin a three-game undefeated streak of their own.

Netminder, Ross Hawrlyk led the way for the Hawks, stopping 36 of 37 Battlefords’ shots; while Carson Erhardt, Mkyllan Couture, Jordan Simoneau and Dawson McKenzie scored for the team.

Stars’ forward, Jaxon Steele scored the Stars’ lone tally of the night, while goaltender Parker Rey made 17 saves on 21 Nipawin shots in the defeat.

Carson Erhardt opened the scoring for the Hawks, snapping home his 15^th of the season on a rush chance with just 1:31 to go in the first period.

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At the end of the frame, it was a one-goal game in favor of the visitors, despite a 14-8 shot advantage for the Battlefords.

Jaxon Steele’s sixth of the season knotted things up for the Stars, at 1-1, midway through the second. Coming on the power play, the contribution gives the Calgary, AB., product six goals over his last eight games played.

However, once again, the Hawks again pulled ahead with a late period tally of their own before the second intermission.

Mkyllan Couture’s second of the season came off a scramble play at the North Stars’ goalmouth and made it a 2-1 hockey game heading into the third.

Despite a late push that saw the Stars outshoot the Hawks 12-6 in the final period, the homeside was unable to cash in the final period.

Instead, Jordan Simoneau’s goal came at the 11:43 mark to make it 3-1 Hawks, before Dawson McKenzie clinched the win at 18:13 with the 4-1 goal.

Even with the loss, the Stars remain in top spot of the league standings, and are now 32-7-2 on the season. The win, meanwhile, improves the Hawks’ record to 21-17-2 and keeps them just ahead of Humboldt for sixth overall.

The North Stars will now get nearly a full week off to rest up and regroup. The team will not return to action until Tues., Jan. 14, when they will make the trip to Wilcox to take on the rival Notre Dame Hounds.

Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7:45 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 8 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

18:29 NIP Carson Erhardt (15) ASST: Mkyllan Couture (3), Evan Bortis (4)

Second period:

11:31 BAT Jaxon Steele (6) ASST: Matthias Urbanski (24), Seth Summers (26) (PP)

17:00 NIP Mkyllan Couture (2) ASST: Evan Bortis (5)

Third period:

11:43 NIP Jordan Simoneau (10) ASST: Max Johnson (18), Bronson Adams (12)

18:13 NIP Dawson McKenzie (10) ASST: None

4-1 Nipawin, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1