The Humboldt Broncos have been as close to a dynasty in the SJHL as a team can get, and Tuesday was a first versus worst matchup that saw the North Stars come away with a win.
The North Stars went to Humboldt with the worst record in the SJHL, but, after earning their first win against La Ronge, they had some confidence going up against the top ranked junior team in the nation.
For the second straight game Graham Hildebrand started and was solid once again. Humboldt did draw first blood, however when Justin Buzzeo scored over six minutes into the first.
Humboldt continued to apply pressure, but Hildebrand kept his team in the game as the shot clock said he faced 19 shots in the first period alone. After 20 minutes the North Stars trailed 1-0.
Midway through the second, the Broncos increased their lead with a powerplay goal off the stick of Riley Gillies.
It wasn't until late in the second period, the North Stars solved Andrew Bodnarchuk in the Humboldt goal. Chris Neurauter netted his first of the season on a five-on-three man advantage. Cody Folstad and Colin Phaneuf assisted on Neurauter's first as a North Star.
After two periods, Humboldt led by a goal and had fired 34 shots at Hildebrand.
In the first minute of the third, Blake Tatchell directed a shot by Bodnarchuk and tied the game 2-2. Tatchell's fourth of the season was assisted by Woody Klassen and Phaneuf.
The North Stars played a strong third period and earned their first lead of the game midway through when Tanner Schwab tipped in his first of the season from Brody Luhning and Folstad.
Humboldt didn't roll over after the goal and, with three minutes left, Brenden Kotyk scored to tie the game and force overtime on a shot coach Ken Pearson said his goalie maybe wished he had back.
Nonetheless, it was the third time the North Stars played overtime this season and their record was an overtime and shootout loss to that point.
Again Hildebrand was strong in net and overtime solved nothing, as the shootout was needed, thanks in large part to a great save by The North Stars' goalie in the final seconds of overtime.
Humboldt's first five shooters, Buzzeo, Jeremy Boyer, Spencer Braaten, Nick Keller and former North Star Ward Szucki, were all denied, as were Shayne Morrissey, Phaneuf, Keith Grondin and Tatchell for the North Stars. The Battlefords fifth shooter was Luhning and he converted giving the North Stars a 4-3 shootout win.
"The end result was rightfully one I think we deserved, especially the way we played in the third period," said Pearson.
Hildebrand was the game's first star, as he made 45 stops and five in the shootout. Pearson said Hildebrand will continue to start until he loses. He has given his team a chance to win in Humboldt and played great against La Ronge building the team's confidence.
"We are fairly high right now. We realize we have a lot of work to do to continue along with the success we have had here recently," said Pearson.
Next for the 2-5-1-1 North Stars is the always-difficult southern road swing, as they play Weyburn Friday, Estevan Saturday and Notre Dame Sunday.
Pearson said the North Stars realize how Weyburn embarrassed them at home and he says his team is in the right frame of mind to start this road trip.
The next home game for the North Stars is Thursday when they entertain Yorkton at the Civic Centre.
One extra note from the North Stars is that Pearson said he expects forward Shay Neufeld to clear waivers at the end of the week and be picked up by another team. Neufeld played just three games with the North Stars this season.
