North Stars teammates gather around goaltender, Josh Kotai to celebrate Friday's win at the ACC. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Now 13-0-1

Stars prove top dog in 5-2 win over Terriers

Oct 22, 2022 | 12:21 AM

Just a night after taking home a 9-3 victory to open the season series, the Battlefords North Stars topped the Yorkton Terriers 5-2 Friday, to complete the sweep of the teams’ back-to-backs in North Battleford.

Colby Bear led the way with a two-goal performance on the night, while Holden Doell and Kian Bell added a goal and two-points each, and Keiton Klein hit double-digits in the goals department with his 10^th of the season.

In goal, Josh Kotai made 25 saves on 27 shots-against for the victory, becoming the first goalie to hit 10 wins this year.

Stars forward, Colby Bear scored a pair of goals Friday, for his second straight multi-point contest. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Doell opened the scoring with his ninth of the season just 1:29 into the game. Converting on a shot from in front, set up by linemates Kian Bell and Jake Southgate, the goal was Doell’s sixth in his last three outings and first of two points to bring him to 18 in 10 games this season.

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Kian Bell made it 2-0 Battlefords just under seven minutes into the second, converting on a centering feed from Doell, right on the tape in front of the crease. For Bell, the goal was his ninth in 11 games this year, giving him 18 points as well.

Yorkton’s Clay Sleeva made it a 2-1 game, scoring to cut his team’s deficit in-half on a slapper of a loose puck in the slot, to make it a one-goal game heading into the third.

Keiton Klein then re-established the Stars’ insurance marker at 3-1 on a power play goal just passed the 2:30 mark of the final frame, coming on his patented one-timer.

Klein’s goal was his league leading seventh power play tally, and 10th overall on the season. The goal ties him with teammate Steven Kesslering for the Stars lead, and second-most overall in the SJHL. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Bear blew the lid off the contest with back-to-back goals just three minutes apart midway through the third to make it 5-1. Among his tallies was one scored on a power-move to the outside of the defender, showcasing a mixture of bullish strength and grace on his way to the front of the goal to tuck the puck home.

Serving as his second straight multi-point game, Bear now has five goals on the season and 12 points through his first 14 games.

Yorkton’s Dylan Ruptash made it a 5-2 game with just 2:25 to go in regulation, though it wouldn’t affect the night’s outcome.

With the victory, the North Stars add to their league-leading record and are now 13-0-1 this season. The team will get the rest of the weekend off, before returning to play Tuesday night at home against the Estevan Bruins.

Tuesday’s game will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

1:29 BAT Holden Doell (9) ASST: Kian Bell (9), Jake Southgate (14) 1-0 Stars

Second period:

6:53 BAT Kian Bell (9) ASST: Holden Doell (9), Jake Southgate (15) 2-0 Stars

14:16 YOR Clay Sleeva (4) ASST: Dylan Ruptash (2) 2-1 Stars

Third period:

2:37 BAT Keiton Klein (10) ASST: Jordan Gibbs (7), Emmett Wurst (3) (PP) 3-1 Stars

7:49 BAT Colby Bear (4) ASST: Tynan Ewart (12) 4-1 Stars

10:15 BAT Colby Bear (5) ASST: Jordan Grill (7) 5-1 Stars

17:35 YOR Dylan Ruptash (6) ASST: Greg Nelson (6), Clay Sleeva (2) 5-2 Stars

5-2 North Stars, the final

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1