It was an opportunity to be at the .500 mark heading into December, but instead the Battlefords North Stars lost in Yorkton and Melville Tuesday and Wednesday and fell to 13-17-1-1.
The North Stars remain in fifth spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Bauer Conference.
Tuesday, the North Stars took on the Sherwood Conference leaders in Yorkton, but before their two games ended this week, the Battlefords North Stars made two transactions. First, Luke Hannas, a 1991-born forward, was acquired from the Dauphin Kings of the MJHL for future considerations. Hannas moved from the BCHL in mid November and is now playing in his third junior hockey league in one season. The other move had Daniel Franks traded to Thunder Bay North Stars of the SIJHL for forward Mitch Galbraith. Franks played four games and had one goal for the North Stars. Galbraith brings eight goals and five assists in 25 games with Thunder Bay. He also played in the BCHL.
In Yorkton, Hannas drew into the lineup for his first game as a North Star, but that wasn't enough of a spark and the team fell 7-4.
Halfway through the first period, Clarke Breitkreuz put the Terriers on the board and the first period ended 1-0.
Nearly 10 minutes into the second, Kyle Hall scored his 12th of the season from Chris Neurauter. After that, things didn't go so well for the North Stars. Blaine Tendler scored shorthanded and Riley Paterson and Justin Lamontagne scored even strength goals within four minutes and the North Stars trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes.
Tanner Schwab scored just over a minute into the third to pull the North Stars to within two goals. Schwab's fourth of the season was assisted by Cody Folstad and Tim Rollins.
Nathan Murray increased the Terriers' lead minutes later, but Boyd Wakelin responded for the North Stars nine seconds later. Robbie Newton assisted on Wakelin's second of the campaign.
Yorkton's Breitkreuz and Robbie Ciolfi scored for insurance and it was enough, as all the North Stars could do to respond was a Blake Tatchell powerplay goal. Tatchell's 17th of the season was assisted by Folstad and Colin Phaneuf.
The North Stars' special teams were better Tuesday, as they were 1/6 on the powerplay and killed all four shorthanded situations, but, according to Ken Pearson in his post-game interview, turnovers killed his team.
Graham Hildebrand was in net for the loss, as he made 32 saves. Devin Peters was the winning goalie with 25 shots against.
Wednesday, the Battlefords North Stars kept pace with the Melville Millionaires until the third period and were handed the 5-2 loss.
After Alex Sirard was traded from the North Stars to the Millionaires Nov. 23 for future considerations, he was given the start against his former team.
Things didn't start great for Sirard, as he allowed a goal to Hannas two minutes in. Hannas's first goal was assisted by Travis Cech and Cade Kimery.
It looked like the North Stars would carry a one-goal lead into the intermission, but on a late powerplay, Lucas Froese tied the game for the Millionaires.
Michael Desjarlais was the lone goal scorer in the second and Melville led 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Phanuef tied the game for the North Stars seven minutes into the third, as Cech and Galbraith assisted on his 12th of the season.
From that point on, all the offence came from Melville, as Michael Rogoschewsky scored on a powerplay, Justin Hollinger scored five-on-five and Froeses scored an empty netter.
Although the North Stars outshot Melville 37-28, the two powerplay goals against were the difference as both teams had seven powerplay opportunities, but it was Melville making the most of theirs. Another key to the game was the strong play of Sirard, who stopped 35 shots.
Kyle Birch suffered the loss for the North Stars. Wednesday, the Battlefords did get a boost to their roster not only with the newly acquired players, but Tony Oak returned to lineup Wednesday after suffering an injury nearly two weeks ago.
The North Stars remain on the road and wait for the SJHL Showcase to start. They play Kindersley Friday and La Ronge Saturday in Weyburn before returning home to play Notre Dame Friday, Dec. 10.
