Stars’ forward, Dylan Esau battles for position in front of the Hawks’ net. Esau scored his first of the playoffs in Game 2, to help lead the team to a 2-0 series lead. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

On the road again

Stars search for 3-0 stranglehold on Hawks as series shifts to Nipawin for Game 3

Mar 10, 2020 | 2:00 PM

After making the most of their home ice advantage early with back-to-back wins in Games 1 and 2 over the weekend, the Battlefords North Stars will look to keep their momentum rolling Tuesday as the series shifts locations to Nipawin’s Centennial Arena.

Game 1 was a 3-0 final for the Battlefords, while Game 2 was a 6-2 contest. The victories have given the North Stars a 2-0 lead the team’s best-of-seven, first round series with the Hawks heading into the third installment.

The North Stars’ offensive edge – both in number of game-breaking talents and overall scoring depth – was seen as likely the biggest advantage for the Battlefords heading into the series, and proved the ultimate difference-maker through the early going.

While the offensive totals themselves have been impressive for the Stars (outscoring Nipawin 9-2 over the first two games), perhaps even more so has been the wealth of contributors chipping in for the team.

Eight different players have pitched in with at least a single goal for the Stars already, including all four forward lines.

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Elijah Loon-Stewardson is the lone North Star with two goals, while Kaden Boser, Jaxon Steele, Matthias Urbanski, Ben Hiltz, Dylan Esau, Logan Spence and Noah Form have also contributed with a tally apiece.

Along with the offensive output, the Stars’ have also brought a commitment to defence that has limited the Hawks’ ability to generate scoring chances going the other way.

Two of the ‘big four’ on the North Stars’ blue line, made up of Matthew Fletcher, Seth Summers, Noah Form and Dylan McCabe, have been on the ice seemingly every time Hawks’ captain Jake Tremblay and his linemates step on.

Stars’ defencemen Noah Form (#7) and Dylan McCabe (#3) have been a force at both ends of the rink all season long, picking up right where they left off in the post-season as the pair took home second and third-star honours for their play in Game 2. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Nipawin moved Tremblay from the wing in Game 1, to center in Game 2, with speedster Michael Makarenko and leading goal scorer from the regular season, Carson Erhardt.

While the unit did chip in for a goal on the night (Makarenko’s first of the playoffs), they were largely held in check at even strength throughout the remainder of the evening. It remains to be seen heading into Game 3 whether the Hawks will throw their lines in a blender again, or stand pat hoping for more favorable matchups on home ice, owning last change.

Special teams’ adjustments for the Hawks will also be worth monitoring. The North Stars went 3/7 on the man advantage in Game 2, while keeping the Hawks off the board at 0/7.

In goal, Kristian Lyon and Ross Hawryluk have both been largely outstanding for their teams.

Lyon has been nothing short of dominant when tested, stopping 63 of the Hawks’ 65 shots through the opening two games to earn a 2-0 record. The 19-year-old leads all netminders with a 1.00 goals-against average and .969 save percentage.

At the other end, while Hawryluk may have given up five in his last outing, the Lloydminster, Alta., product kept his team in the game throughout the first half of the contest, following up a stellar 44-save opening game performance in Game 1.

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

North Stars playoff schedule, Round 1 vs. Nipawin Hawks:

Game #1: Stars win 3-0; lead series 1-0

Game #2: Stars win 6-2; lead series 2-0

Game #3: Tuesday, March 10 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

Game #4 Wednesday, March 11 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #5 Friday, March 13 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*Game #6 Sunday, March 15 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #7 Tuesday, March 17 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*indicates if needed.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1