Looking to head home for some turkey with the family with a win under their belts, the Battlefords North Stars battled the Humboldt Broncos Friday night in Humboldt.
The division rivals combined for nine goals, but it was the North Stars scoring one more, late in the third period that was the different.
The North Stars started the scoring 46 seconds into the game, but trailed after the first frame. First it was Jared Kambeitz scoring his second of the season from Dillon Forbes and Braeden Johnson. Humboldt responded with goals from Robbie Ciolfi on a power play and later Ryan Marshall.
After the first period, both Graham Hildebrand and Humboldt's Tyler Marble stopped 13 shots.
The North Stars played a better second period and lightened Hildebrand's workload, as he gave up one goal on seven second period shots, that goal coming off the stick of Neil Landry.
Brett Miller and Tim Rollins both scored Friday and are now tied with Blake Tatchell for the team lead in goals scored. Miller scored on a power play from Johnson and Brody Luhning early in the second and Rollins scored in the final two minutes unassisted to tie the game.
In the third period, the North Stars reclaimed the lead when Miller netted his second of the game and fifth of the season from Luhning and Curtis Toneff.
Humboldt's Ciolfi scored short handed with four minutes left to tie the game. With five seconds remaining, Tanner Schwab banged in his third of the season to avoid overtime and give the North Stars their sixth win of the season, improving their record to 5-3-0-1.
Hildebrand made 30 saves in total for his third win of the season. Both teams were 1/4 on the power play in Humboldt.
The North Stars were back in action Tuesday in Nipawin playing their fifth straight game on the road. Before Tuesday's game, it was announced the North Stars made some tweaks to their roster.
Lucas Recknagle, who was recently acquired and played four games for the North Stars has decided he is done playing junior hockey and therefore has been released. The North Stars roster sits at 22 payers.
Another moved made was a deal trading rights of 1994-born goalie Dawson McAuley to the Yorkton Terriers. In return the North Stars received the playing rights of 1995-born forward Jake McMillan. McMillan is a 1995-born forward who is leading the Yorkton Harvest AAA midget team in scoring. Should McAuley play any additional seasons with Yorkton the North Stars will also receive future considerations on top of the deal.
Friday the North Stars road trip continues in Estevan, as they take part in the SJHL Showcase tournament. The North Stars play Friday at 5 p.m. against the Yorkton Terriers and Saturday at 11 a.m. they face the Melfort Mustangs.
Their next home game, their first in two weeks, will be Tuesday against Melfort, as they begin a home stand playing 10 of their next 11 games at the North Battleford Civic Centre.
