By Roger White

AAA Stars fall 3-1 to Saskatoon Contacts

Jan 24, 2018 | 9:00 AM

Two third period goals broke open a close game and lifted the Saskatoon Contacts to a 3-1 win over the Battleford Stars in SMAAAHL action Tuesday night at the North Battleford Civic Centre.

The Stars (13-20-0-1) squandered an opportunity to make up some ground on the Saskatoon Blazers for the final AAA playoff spot. The Blazers occupy the eighth and final playoff position with 30 points, while the Stars have 27.

Only eight of the 12 SMAAAHL teams qualify for the playoffs. The Stars have just two wins in their last 13 games.

Boston Maxwell scored his third goal of the season at 3:35 of the first period to give the Contacts the early lead before Ty Mosimann tied it at 1-1 with his 13th goal of the season at 16:01 of the period. Mosimann leads the Stars in total points this season with 53 points, two more than line mate Adam Beckman (51) who along with Damon McKenzie drew assists on the lone Star’s goal.

Both teams traded great scoring opportunities in the second and third period, however it wasn’t until the 16:05 mark of the final period that Eli Lieffers gave Saskatoon the lead that they would not relinquish. With just 68 seconds remaining Davin Griffin gave the Contacts some insurance with his 13th goal of the year to make it 3-1.

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Stars goaltender Joseph Young stopped 33 of 36 shots that came his way, while Rayce Ramsay picked up the win for Saskatoon making 35 saves on 36 shots.

Prior to the game, Stars forward Ty Mosimann was named the SMAAAHL  December Player of the Month after accumulating four goals and 10 assists in eight games. Mosimann now has 13 goals and 38 assists to lead the Stars this season.

The Stars have another opportunity this weekend to close the gap between with the Blazers when they travel to Notre Dame to face the last place Argos on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter