The Battlefords have been on a scoring tear during their three-game win streak, burying 20 goals over that span.
Worthy of note, after a three-point performance last night, Layne Young has now taken sole possession of first place for rookie scoring in the entire country (CJHL).
Saturday night, Young and the North Stars took on the number two power play unit and a team fighting for their playoff lives, the Yorkton Terriers. One can expect they wanted nothing more than to cool off the first place team.
It was Tyler Fuhr who stood tall in net for the black and white, though, containing the Terriers while registering his first shutout as a member of the North Stars. A 32-save performance led the way in a 3-0 win, extending their win streak to four.
“He was dialed in, I know he has been patiently waiting to get back in the crease and you could tell he was fired up before the game even started. There was a lot of enthusiasm about him and hidden energy.” Coach Kevin Hasselberg said after the game.
The North Stars outshot the Terriers 16-12 in the opening 20 minutes, but the lone highlight of the first came from Fuhr, who absolutely robbed Cole Keenleyside of his 10th on a one-timer. A member of the three-headed monster in between the pipes for the black and white, Fuhr kept his head on a swivel before kicking away a sure goal, keeping the game scoreless.
170 pound Troy Gerein and 175 pound Adam Santoro ended their night with some fisticuffs, trying to spring some energy into their respected teams midway through the second frame. A spirited tilt that had a couple of right jabs connecting from both parties got the crowd into what was a scoreless game.
An interference and checking from behind penalty gave the North Stars a long five-on-three power play opportunity late in the second period. I wrote about the Terriers being the number two unit, well, the Battlefords lead the league on the man advantage and would end the tie with an Igor Leonenko goal. Young extended his point streak to seven games after tipping a pass off the boards behind the net, landing on the stick of Leonenko, who scored his 36th of the campaign on the far side of the crease. Levi Kleiboer registered the second assist.
Tensions continued to boil after Baxter Kanter levelled Kevin Wolf in the neutral zone. Jordan McCausland took exception, jumping Kanter, dropping the gloves and exchanging blows with the North Stars heavyweight.
“He’s kind of an unsung hero,” Hasselberg said of his power forward, “I think that get’s overlooked in the game. What he brings to the team, the opposition knows but maybe not the average fan knows. Because the opposition knows that Baxter is on our hockey team it creates a little bit more ice for our skilled guys."
Nonetheless, the Battlefords held onto their 1-0 advantage heading into the final frame of their last overnight road trip.
Reed Delainey increased the lead to two just minutes into the third period. After breaking into the offensive zone, the assistant captain stopped up at the right hash mark, allowing the defence to slide past him, before his centreing pass bounced off the stick of Matt Kustra and through his legs. The goal was Delainey’s 12th of the season. Kleiboer made the initial pass, registering his second point of the tilt.
The North Stars capitalized on their power play once again with five minutes left to play. Coby Downs corralled a pass from Kleiboer before sniping a shot past Kustra for his fifth goal and 13th point in his last five games.
The Battlefords now have a 13-day break as they look forward to their Jackfish Lake Ice Fishing Derby.
Yorkton has a shot at revenge, as they travel to the Civic Centre Feb. 19th.
News-Optimist THREE STARS
1) Tyler Fuhr (32 saves, SO)
2) Igor Leonenko (GWG)
3) Levi Kleiboer (3 A)
