NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Northwest Stars are off to a competitive start in AA U18 hockey this season.
So far in the Centre Four league, the Stars have a three win and two loss record. Their most recent game was on Sunday at Access Communications Centre where they dropped a 3-2 decision in a first-place battle with the Saskatoon IceHawks.
In that game the IceHawks took a 3-0 lead before Eric Brandle got two goals to close the margin to one goal. But the Stars could not get the goal to tie the game.
The season began for the Stars on Oct. 2 at home with a 9-5 win over the Warman Wildcats. They beat the Saskatoon Riverkings the following day at home 4-1.
They extended their winning streak to three games on Oct. 9 with an exciting 5-4 overtime win at Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena over the Riverkings. Jace Kramer got the winning goal in overtime.
On Oct. 10 they suffered their first loss of the season, 5-2 to North East at the Access Communications Centre. With the loss to the IceHawks, the Stars now have their first losing streak of the season -- one they hope to end as soon as possible.
So far on the season, forward Jeremy Hanson leads the way in scoring for the team with three goals and seven assists, while Eric Brandle leads in goals, having scored six goals with two assists. Devante Pratt is third on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists.
Goaltender Dylan Twidale has a 3.00 goals against average in two games while Carter Bell has a 3.97 average in three games.
Upcoming contests for the Stars include a road trip over the next four games against North East, Humboldt, Parkland and Warman. Their next home game is Oct. 31 at home to the Prince Albert Lakeland Towing Vulcans.
