North Stars face must-win Game 5 versus Portage

Following two-straight one-goal contests to kick off the series in Portage through the opening two games, Games 3 and 4 the last two nights in the Battlefords, have also each been down to the wire, despite each been decided by two goals, the most recent of which, was Wednesday night’s 7-5 loss at the Civic Centre.

After the Terriers’ top line of Ty Barnstable, Chase Brakel and Orca Weisblatt combined for four of their team’s five goals leading Portage to victory in Game 3. Game 4 saw a different Terriers’ unit break through to provide the difference for the visitors.

The Terriers’ third line, featuring Reilly Funk, Scott Mickoski and Jay Buchholtz teamed up for four of their team’s seven goals Wednesday, totaling eight points combined on the evening.

It will be interesting to see if the unit’s offensive prowess in the contest will lead to any matchup adjustments for the Stars in Game 5, as the Battlefords do lay claim to last change as the home team, while possessing four forward lines capable of handling themselves against top offensive opposition.

Stars’ forward MacGregor Sinclair, who led the team in scoring and finished sixth in the SJHL this season with 72 points, has been arguably the MVP of the series through the first four games of the Anavet Cup. Sinclair leads all players with six points in the series, while coming off a goal and two assists Wednesday night.

In addition to Sinclair’s dominant effort, the Stars also received offensive contributions from four other players in Game 4’s loss.

Each of Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Regan Doig, Matthew Fletcher and Brett Gammer chipped in with their first goal of the series respectively. This should only help morale heading into tonight, having a player from each of the four forward lines, (and a defenceman) having scored just a night ago.

Stars’ netminder Joel Grzybowski will get the start for his team this evening, looking to bounce back from a rough start to the series at home that has seen the 19-year-old allow 11 goals on 48 shots over his last two nights at the Civic Centre.

Despite his rough couple of games, Grzybowski has continued to show in this series, as he did in those before, a game-breaking ability to keep his team in games, and make unbelievable stops at the key points in games.

The Stars will likely need that quality to shine through in the man they call ‘Gryz,” again tonight, with the team’s collective backs against the wall, needing a win to preserve their season.

For the Terriers, goaltender Ethan Peterson has been solid since entering the series with the start in Game 2, making 29 stops on Wednesday en route to Portage’s 7-5 decision.

Peterson has posted a 3-0 record with a 3.35 goals-against average and .884 save percentage so far.

The NAPA North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m. and puck drop at 7:30 p.m. Marty Martinson will have the call on the action.

Series schedule:

April 26 -> Game 1: 3-2 North Stars, the Final.

April 27 -> Game 2: 4-3 (OT) Terriers, the Final.

April 30 -> Game 3: 5-3 Terriers, the Final.

May 1 -> Game 4 @ 7-5 Terriers the Final.

May 2 -> Game 5 @ NB Civic Centre*

May 5 -> Game 6 @ Stride Place*

May 6 -> Game 7 @ Stride Place*

*indicates if necessary

–

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars face must-win Game 5 versus Portage

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