The Mustangs, who have won back-to-back SJHL championships weren't down 2-0 in a series during either of their championship runs. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

GAME THREE

North Stars head to Melfort with a chance to push the Mustangs to the brink of elimination

Mar 24, 2026 | 12:28 PM

In the first round of the SJHL playoffs, the Battlefords North Stars took both games one and two at home and will go into Melfort with a chance to make it a 3-0 series. 

Both the first two games were incredibly close, with the North Stars finishing on top both times. They won 4-2 including an empty netter in game one, while game two was a 3-2 victory. In both games, the North Stars took a 3-1 lead into the third period and withstood a comeback attempt for the win. 

The North Stars are up 2-0 in the series and have outscored the Mustangs 7- 4 over two games. However, the Mustangs have outshot the North Stars 85-54. 

Kaeden Serpa has played in both games in the series and has bene spectacular for the North Stars. He has turned away 81 of the 85 shots that he has seen, posting a .953 save percentage (SV%) with 2.00 goals against average (GAA). 

The Mustangs goalies have split games. Rookie goaltender Kason Kobelka has an .889 SV% with 3.06 GAA, while Madden Mulawka has an .885 SV% and 3.07 GAA. 

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Like depth scoring was a strength for the North Stars throughout the regular season, it has continued to be stellar in the playoffs. In the first two games, the North Stars have seven goals from seven different goal scorers.  

Cole Hines, Josh Knittig, Alessio Nardelli, Anthony Campbell, Finlay Klippenstein, Owen Nelson and Raiden Zacharias have all got on the board in the playoffs. 

The team lead in points is tied between a trio of 20-year-olds. Gavin Granger (3A), Anthony Campbell (1G-2A) and Josh Knittig (1G-2A) all have three points apiece, which is just one point behind the league lead. Granger’s three assists are tied for the league lead. 

Danton Cox and Dru Mushumanski are tied for the team lead in points with two assists each. Like the North Stars, the Mustangs have gotten all their goals from different scorers. Zayden Sadlemyer, Kaleb Binner, Darren Hunt and Bo Eisner have all scored for Melfort. 

The Mustangs are back on home ice for game three and four. They had a 17-9-2-0 record at the Northern Lights Palace, while the North Stars had a 16-8-2-2 road record this year. The North Stars went 1-0-0-1 in Melfort during the regular season. 

Napa Auto Parts North Stars begins at 7:30, the Ultra Print pregame show is half hour before puck drop on CJNB/CJNS. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com