North Stars teammates celebrate following Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Steinbach at the Centennial Cup in Portage, Man. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Centennial Cup Quest continues

North Stars advance to playoff rounds with 3-1 win over Steinbach

May 16, 2023 | 11:41 PM

Josh Kotai stopped 30 of 31 shots against and Kian Bell exploded for a three-point night, as the Battlefords North Stars punched their ticket to the playoff rounds of the Centennial Cup Tuesday night, with a 3-1 win over the Steinbach Pistons.

Steven Kesslering also scored a pair of goals on the night, to pull into a tie with Brooks’ Aiden Fink for first in tournament goal scoring with five through the Stars’ four games of the round robin, including at least a single tally in each game so far.

It was a hard-fought matchup ended with class, as North Stars captain Jake Southgate is seen here leading the team down the handshake line with Steinbach after Tuesday night’s win. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Kesslering opened the scoring for the third time in four games for the Stars, converting for his first of the night on a power play marker from Bell and Tanner Gold for the lone goal from either side through 40 minutes of play.

Shortly after the goal, things took a nasty turn, as Piston’s leading scorer Travis Hensrud ran Brad Blake from behind midway through the frame, on an undisciplined play to earn the forward a 5-minute major and game misconduct, meaning he would be unavailable for his team for the remainder of the must-win game.

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While Blake did initially leave the ice and head to the dressing room, he would return for the start of the second, and play the remainder of the game.

Jake Southgate made the defensive play of the night late in the second period, racing back the length of the ice on a full-extension diving play to disrupt an Ian Amsbaugh breakaway chance just ahead of the second intermission, not allowing the Steinbach forward to pull the puck to his forehand in his bid for the tying goal.

In the third, while Noah Szabo did score on a seeing-eye shot through traffic from the right point, the Stars stood strong to otherwise withstand the ensuing pressure from the Pistons, as Steinbach was reliant on a regulation win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Then, with just three minutes to go, Kian Bell cashed in for his first goal of the tournament, streaking in with a dager through the wickets of the Pistons’ goaltender from Holden Doell and Southgate, to put the Stars in front with the game winner at the biggest moment of the tournament.

Bell then also set up Kesslering for his second of the game, scoring into the empty net to seal the night’s fate for good, and bring the visiting fans from the Battlefords to their feet one final time.

With the win, the North Stars send the Pistons home, and now await the outcome of Wednesday night’s Portage/Collingwood game to see where in the top three of their Group they will finish.

If Collingwood win the game in any fashion, or lose in extra time, the Stars will finish second overall and play the third-place team in the other group, as Collingwood and the Battlefords would be tied with nine points, while Collingwood hold the tie-breaker having beat the Stars head-to-head.

If Portage win in regulation, the North Stars will finish first in their Group, as the Terriers and Stars would be tied with nine points apiece while the Stars hold the tie-breaker having beat Portage head-to-head. First place would mean a bye through the quarterfinals and a free ride to the semis, Saturday.

The tournament’s two quarterfinals games will be played Friday at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, with the two semi-finals games scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. The finals will then wrap up the event Sunday at 2 p.m.

Stay tuned to battlefordsNOW for the latest when the Stars’ playoff schedule is determined.

Scoring summary

First period:

7:09 Steven Kesslering (4) ASST: Tanner Gold, Kian Bell (PP) 1-0 Stars

Second period:

None

Third period:

4:40 STE Noah Szabo (1) ASST: Langley Kruggel, Ian Amsbaugh 1-1 Tie

16:59 BAT Kian Bell (1) ASST: Jake Southgate, Holden Doell 2-1 Stars

18:44 BAT Steven Kesslering (5) ASST: Kian Bell, Holden Doell 3-1 Stars

3-1 North Stars, the final

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1