A look in from the North Stars' 11 days at the Centennial Cup. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Journey to National Silver

North Stars Centennial Cup reflection

May 25, 2023 | 4:54 PM

The Battlefords North Stars capped their season for the ages with a run to the national championship game of the Centennial Cup in Portage, Manitoba last week.

Returning to action nearly three weeks to the day of their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title Apr. 22, the Stars embarked on their quest for a national championship May 11-21 hitting the ground running, on their journey to the final game, Sunday.

Game 1: North Stars vs Kam River (SIJHL)

The North Stars kicked off their Centennial Cup schedule with the opening game of the week, May 11, taking home a 4-1 win over the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) champion, Kam River Fighting Walleye.

Stars’ Playoff MVP, Steven Kesslering led the way up front with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Josh Kotai stopped 23/24 shots against to backstop the team to victory between the pipes.

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Kesslering’s goal opened the scoring shorthanded for the team, while his assist came on the eventual game-winner by Jackson Allan.

Colby Bear and Tanner Gold also scored for the Stars in the win, while captain Jake Southgate picked up a pair of assists as a force at both ends of the rink.

The North Stars’ full recap versus Kam River is available here.

Game 2: North Stars vs Collingwood Blues (OJHL)

The North Stars threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) champs from Collingwood in their second game of the tournament, but ran into a hot goaltender in Noah Pak, and his team’s stifling defense.

Pak stopped 36/37 Stars’ shots on his way to making 86 saves on his first 89 shots faced through his team’s opening three games of the tournament.

Kesslering scored the Battlefords’ lone goal of the game on the deflection of a Tanner Gold shot from the line, while Kotai stopped 31/34 Blues’ shots to keep the game tight throughout.

The lone goal through the first 40 minutes was scored by Blues’ captain, Cam Garvey late in the first, followed by two more Collingwood tallies from defenceman Ayden Dooley to make it 2-0, and Spencer Young to make it 3-1, in the third.

The North Stars’ full recap versus Collingwood is available here.

Game 3: North Stars vs Portage Terriers (Hosts/MJHL)

Facing the host, Terriers in their first evening game of round robin play, the North Stars needed a quick bounce-back in their third game, to keep pace with the top of their Group.

Kotai again led the way for the Stars, backstopping the team to victory with a 35/37 save performance, as the power play came alive for the team with a pair of goals as well to prove the difference maker.

After Kesslering opened the scoring with his tournament-leading third at even-strength, Brad Blake and Southgate struck for back-to-back power play markers just over two minutes apart in the second, to make it 3-1 heading into the third period, on the Stars’ way to the 3-2 final.

The North Stars’ full recap versus Portage is available here.

Game 4: North Stars vs Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)

Heading into their final game of round robin play, the Stars had a chance to set themselves up for a shot at top spot in the Group and a bye in the semis with a win over the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) champion, Steinbach Pistons.

It’s an opportunity the team made good on, led by SJHL MVP and scoring champion, Kian Bell.

Bell scored the game-winner with just three minutes to go in the third, also factoring in with an assist on each of his team’s other two goals, for three points in the Stars’ 3-1 win over the Pistons.

Kesslering again scored a pair on the night as well, bringing his total to a tournament-high five goals in four games heading into the playoff rounds, while Kotai made 30 saves on 31 shots to shut the door for his team.

The North Stars’ full recap versus Steinbach is available here.

Clinching Top Spot in the Group

The Battlefords’ win in their final round robin game, coupled with a Portage regulation victory over Collingwood, clinched the top seed in the Group for the Stars. This earned the team a bye to the semi-finals of the playoff rounds, where they would eventually meet Portage once again.

Both the North Stars and Terriers entered their semi-finals matchup with just a single loss on their record, at 3-0-1-0 (wins-OT wins-losses-OT losses) through round robin play, though the Battlefords held the tiebreaker having won the teams’ head-to-head matchup.

Game 5: Semi-finals North Stars vs Portage (MJHL)

In the semis, the North Stars came out flying to the tune of a 4-0 lead at the end of the first period, and 6-1 lead at the end of two, on their way to a commanding 7-1 win to stun the Terriers’ home crowd at Stride Place.

Holden Doell scored a pair of goals in the first period as part of a three-point night, while Bell notched five assists, Kesslering tallied his tournament-leading sixth, and Southgate, Alex Izyk, Brad Blake, and Riley Girod also scored for the team.

Between the pipes Kotai, who was named Centennial Cup Top Goaltender following round robin play, continued to turn heads as well with another 30 saves on 31 shots for the win, to advance the team to the National Championship Game.

The North Stars’ full semi-finals recap versus Portage is available here.

Game 6: Centennial Cup final vs Brooks (AJHL)

Facing the undefeated Brooks Bandits (5-0-0-0) in the Centennial Cup final, the North Stars left it all on the ice with a valiant effort that included a number of heavy shot-blocks, to finish the tournament with their heads held high despite a 4-0 loss to the Alberta Junior Hockey League champions.

Kotai again was the best player on the ice for either side, making 37 saves to keep the Stars in the game for much of the afternoon.

The turning point in the contest came when Brooks scored three goals over a two-minute span in the second, adding just one more through the back-half of the game on their way to the National Championship.

Despite the loss, the North Stars did receive silver medals, finishing second overall in the Canadian Junior Hockey League at the end of the 2022-23 season, of the 119 teams across Canada.

Welcome home

The North Stars returned to North Battleford Monday night, to a Hero’s Welcome, with community members lining the streets of downtown to wave and cheer and greet the team upon their return.

Next up for the North Stars will be the 2023 SJHL Draft, which will take place June 1 at 1 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1