North Stars drop second straight game in road loss to Kindersley

Konnor Watson opened the scoring for the Klippers at 5:57, walking around Keegan Nash in the North Stars’ zone before firing the puck over goaltender Chase Kettles’ shoulder.

Watson’s second goal of the season, both have come against the North Stars put Kindersley up 1-0.

A 1-0 Klippers lead heading into the second period looked imminent until Sam Failler entered the zone and fired a shot off the post and in, putting Kindersley ahead 2-0 with 12 seconds left in the opening frame.

After one: 2-0 Klippers

The North Stars got one back at 6:15 of the second period when Easton Woytiuk took a pass from Will Kirwan in front and scored his third goal of the season, cutting the Klippers’ lead to 2-1.

However, Kindersley responded with three goals in less than five minutes.

At 7:11, Cam Perlinger scored his first goal of the season. Pryce Thiessen lost the puck on his backhand in front of the net, and it went directly to Perlinger, who made no mistake to put the Klippers up 3-1.

At 9:36, Charlie Kay’s shot from the high slot deflected off a North Stars player and past Kettles to make it 4-1. After allowing four goals on 21 shots, Kettles’ night was over and Nathan Claydon entered the game.

Things did not get much better after Claydon entered the game, as he allowed a goal on the first shot he faced. Perlinger slid the puck from near the crease and through Claydon to make it 5-1 Klippers at 12:00.

Easton Woytiuk tried to get his team back into it when he and Charlie Kay dropped the gloves in open ice late in the period. After a spirited tilt, the officials stepped between them and the players headed to the locker room, with Woytiuk trying to provide a spark.

“A lot of respect to the kid. It takes guts to drop the gloves, especially as an ’08, the same age as the first-years,” Lamb said.

“I was a little disappointed in our guys’ reaction. I thought that should give us a little bit more life than it did. Obviously, proud of the kid for sticking up for himself and his teammates and trying to get things going. I just wish our guys had a little bit better response.”

After two: 5-1 Klippers

The only goal of the third period came from Mikita Dolmat in his debut at 11:11. Dolmat deflected a Millar Kramer point shot past Radke. Dolmat’s first SJHL goal, along with Kramer’s first point, gave the North Stars some life.

“He made an impact for sure,” Lamb said of Dolmat.

“Connor and I were really impressed. We thought he was the best player on the ice tonight.”

Lamb said the younger players making an impact can also push some of the older players.

“It gets guys kind of worrying about where they sit in the lineup and creates that internal spark, too, in that competition outside of the power play.”

Although it took most of the game to get into the swing of things, the North Stars played their best hockey down the stretch.

“We were getting to pucks first and did a good job playing with speed. We were starting to win those 50-50 battles. I think that’s something we’ve really struggled with a lot,” Lamb said.

“Kindersley did a good job of blocking shots all night, and we finally found a way to get something to the net there. So, I think all those things led to some momentum for us, and our guys started to really push. I think that’s just what we need.”

Though they picked it up, the North Stars didn’t have enough to get close to a comeback.

Final score: 5-2 Klippers

As the North Stars prepare for next weekend’s games against the Mustangs and Broncos, Lamb said the break will provide a “reset” for the team.

“A little bit of time to reflect. We’ll take it and make sure that we come ready to go next week. We’ll work on competing again. I think we need more of that throughout the full game.”

The North Stars open next weekend at home Friday against the Mustangs, their first meeting since Battlefords eliminated Melfort from the playoffs last season.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

North Stars drop second straight game in road loss to Kindersley

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