The Nipawin Hawks learned the hard way this weekend that no lead is safe against the Battlefords North Stars.
The North Stars swept the Hawks in back to back games at home and on the road, both by identical 3-2 victories. Each time, the North Stars trailed 2-0 and roared back to win both games.听
The North Stars now have 15 wins in 16 games to start the SJHL season, cementing their grip atop the overall SJHL standings with 30 points.
North Stars 3 Nipawin 2 (Friday)
The game Friday, Oct. 18 was the first North Stars contest at the Civic Centre following a 12-game stretch away from their home arena. The club also went into the game shorthanded, with top scorer Elijah Loon-Stewardson suspended for one game after his melee with the La Ronge Ice Wolves Wednesday night. 听听
Nipawin did get on the board first with goals from Austen Flaman at the 6:06 mark of period one, and Carson Erhardt at the 9:29 mark.
But the North Stars cut it to 2-1 on Austen Becker's tenth of the season, with Seth Summers and Brett Gammer assisting at the 18:10 mark of period one.听
In period two, Brett Gammer scored his fifth of the season at the 12:38 mark with Becker and Noah Form assisting. Then, in the third period with Zach Cox in the box for hooking, it was Matthew Fletcher with the game winner from Quintin Loon-Stewardson and Kaden Boser.听
The North Stars then held off the Hawks the rest of the way for the hard-earned 3-2 win. Shots on goal were almost even, with the North Stars just one shot ahead of the Hawks 27-26.
Adam Dmyterko was back in goal for the North Stars and stopped 24 of 26 shots to earn the win; Dmyterko is undefeated so far this SJHL season.
North Stars 3 Nipawin 2 (Saturday)
The North Stars returned to action Saturday night, Oct. 19 for the rematch on the road at Centennial Arena. Once again the game followed a similar script as Nipawin jumped to the early lead.
Goals by Austen Flaman and Michael Makarenko, with Jake Tremblay assisting on each, were the only scores in the first period. It remained 2-0 Hawks through a scoreless second period as well.
It was midway though the third period when the North Stars erupted. Elijah Loon-Stewardson, back from suspension, scored at the 11:55 mark from Rylan Nivon and Quintin Loon-Stewardson.
Noah Form tied it at the 14:11 mark as Elijah Loon-Stewardson and Dylan McCabe assisted. Then finally, with two minutes left, Quintin Loon-Stewardson got the game winner for his tenth of the season, Form and Nivon assisting.听
Parker Rey got the victory in net for the North Stars witth 22 saves facing 24 shots. The North Stars outshot the Hawks in the contest 37-24. Elijah Loon-Stewardson and Noah Form were named first and second stars, Jake Tremblay the third star.
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