By Martin Martinson

North Stars take bite out of Ice Wolves

Oct 18, 2018 | 12:55 AM

Slicing in on goal like a knife through butter, both smooth and effortlessly, Matthias Urbanski broke in alone on the La Ronge net.

Staring down Ice Wolves’ goaltender, Merek Pipes, Urbanski attacked from the angle, faking backhand to freeze the soon-to-be 20-year-old goalie, before, in the blink of an eye, shifting the puck back to his forehand to snap a lightning-like shot high to the blocker side. For Urbanski, the goal turned his team’s one-goal lead to two just before the half-way point of the third. 2-0 North Stars.

Urbanski’s goal also marked his second point of what would be three on the evening, with his first being the primary assist on a Braydon Buziak tally from back in the first period.

Buziak’s goal to open the scoring, came on the power play after Owen Lamb relayed the puck to Urbanski, who proceeded to skate it into the attacking zone, backing the defender off with his lethal speed. The defenseman, who at this point was in full desperation mode, was frantically trying to keep his balance while skating backwards at a break-neck pace. Taking note of the gap he had created between himself and the defenseman, the shifty Urbanski hammered on the breaks before floating a 10-foot pass to his right, perfectly onto a tee in the high-slot for the hometown hero, Buziak to launch home.

Buziak’s goal was his third of the season, with all three coming in differing situations. The veteran forward has now scored a shorthanded goal, an even strength goal and a power play goal.

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

9h ago

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

12h ago

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

15h ago

The Oliver, BC native, Urbanski, would pick up his final point on the night with just over five minutes to go in regulation. Another of the highlight reel calibre, this time all the offensively inclined forward had to do was pull up at the side of the net and wait for supper to be served courtesy of linemate, Ryan Gil who was cooking up something truly special once again.

Picking up the puck along the sideboards and maneuvering his way to the middle of the ice, Gil, shielding the puck from the defenseman’s stick almost seemed to dangle it there, just out of reach, before then humming a pass right onto the tape of the salivating Urbanski who feasted on the opportunity, making good on his ninth goal of the season.

Perhaps the biggest joy on the night for the Stars’ faithful in attendance, however, came from rookie Tanner Robin, who, with just over a minute to go, potted his first-ever SJHL goal to throw some icing on the cake and give the North Stars a 4-0 win.

Stars’ goaltender Joel Grzybowski made 23 saves on the 23 shots he faced on the night to remain perfect throughout his team’s victory, and continue to earn praise being heralded as one of the truly elite goalies in the league.

The North Stars will now get a night off to celebrate and then get refocused for Friday night’s game, once again at home against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Scoring summary

First period:

No Scoring

Second period:

17:12 BAT Braydon Buziak (3) ASST: Matthias Urbanski (6), Owen Lamb (6) (PP)

Third period:

9:15 BAT Matthias Urbanski (8) ASST: Cody Spagrud (8), MacGregor Sinclair (10)

14:40 BAT Matthias Urbanski (9) ASST: Ryan Gil (8), MacGregor Sinclair (11)

18:49 BAT Tanner Robin (1) ASST: Kaden Boser (1)

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1