Zane Florence (33), Jake Southgate (21) and Tanner Gold (6) line up for a face-off opposite Wings' forward Jackson Hassman. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

1-1 Series

North Stars ready for Game 3, as scene shifts to Weyburn

Mar 21, 2023 | 1:15 PM

The Battlefords North Stars take to the ice in Weyburn Tuesday for game three of their opening round best-of-seven series with the Red Wings.

The series switches locations following the opening two games over the weekend in North Battleford, which saw the Wings shock the hometown crowd in game one with a 3-2 win to open the series Friday, before a swift 5-2 bounce-back by the Stars in game two to knot things up at a game apiece.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said he liked his team’s response in game two and wants to see the group continue to play with that spark heading into games three and four on the road, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I thought Saturday we played harder, and we didn’t let them rattle us even with them scoring first,” Klimosko said. “I hope to see us bring the same intensity from the opening shift tonight. We stood up for our teammates in scrums and need to do the same tonight.”

The series was billed from the start as a showdown of superstars, with six of the top eight in league points from the regular season between the two teams; and through two games it has been the big names on both sides leading the way.

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Stars’ forward Kian Bell stole the show Saturday night, putting up four goals to lead the North Stars to victory. Having also scored in game one, the SJHL’s MVP and player of the year now also leads the postseason scoring race with five goals and five points through the opening two games of the first round.

Jake Southgate is coming off back-to-back two-assist games and sits tied for third in playoff points overall, while Holden Doell is coming off a three-assist night in game two. Steven Kesslering added his first goal of the postseason in the second game as well.

Stars’ captain Jake Southgate has been a two-way force to open the series, bringing physicality and defensive acumen in addition to his offensive contributions. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

On the other side, MVP finalist Ryley Morgan was the story for the Wings in game one, scoring a shorthanded goal and adding an assist in the visitors’ 3-2 win.

Ty Mason, who just Monday announced his commitment to play DIV I hockey at Western Michigan, leads the Red Wings with three points, also scoring a goal and an assist in game one and adding another helper in game two.

On the backend, defencemen Tynan Ewart of the Stars and Blake Norris of the Wings have also been at the forefront of things on both ends of the rink. Each is tied for the lead amongst blue-liners with three points apiece while playing big minutes in all situations.

Special teams have been the story of the series so far, as the Red Wings have yet to score a goal at even strength. Of Weyburn’s five goals so far, four have come on the power play and the other was Morgan’s shorthanded marker.

The Stars have also been lights out on the man advantage with three power-play goals through the opening two games, though the team has also managed to score four while at even strength. Keeping the game five aside will be priority one for the Stars, having held the clear edge in play at even strength.

In goal, top goaltender award winner, Josh Kotai has continued his stellar play through the first two games, coming off a 33-save effort Saturday night that saw him make a couple of tremendous stops through traffic. Kotai carries a 1-1 postseason record with a 2.54 goals against average and a .921 save percentage into play in game three.

At the other end, Weyburn’s Dazza Mitchell has also been atop his game, as the ultimate equalizer through the early part of the series. Mitchell has made 39 saves in each of the first two games, including a combined 29/31 in first periods alone, to keep his team in the games early. Mitchell is also 1-1, with a 2.85 goals against average and .913 save percentage these playoffs.

Game 3 at Weyburn’s Crescent Point Place will be on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin 30 minutes earlier than usual, at 6:30 p.m. with puck drop at 7 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

The full first-round schedule between the North Stars and Red Wings is available here.

In other action around the league Tuesday, the Estevan Bruins host the Flin Flon Bombers (FF lead series 2-0); the Nipawin Hawks host the Humboldt Broncos (HUM lead series 2-0); and the La Ronge Ice Wolves host the Melfort Mustangs (series tied 1-1).

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1