After losing three of their last four and two straight to start the final month of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League regular season, the Battlefords North Stars turn their focus to the Humboldt Broncos.
Not only are the North Stars focused on the Broncos in the Bauer Conference standings, but also because that is who the North Stars face Wednesday night.
The North Stars welcome the Broncos after returning to the Civic Centre while taking a break away, as the Battlefords hosted the SaskTel Tankard in their home arena.
The Broncos have won six of their last 10 games and, a 27-23-0-1 record and sit six points ahead of the Battlefords North Stars.
The North Stars hold a 23-25-2-1 record for 49 points, but also have to be looking in the rearview mirror as Flin Flon trails the North Stars by just three points.
Last week, the North Stars lost once in regulation and once in overtime creating space between Humboldt and the Battlefords.
Wednesday, the North Stars lost 6-3 to Melville. Kyle Hall scored a powerplay goal in the first while Blake Tatchell and Cole Gibson scored a minute apart in the third period. It was an entire team effort by Melville, which prevailed for the victory.
Godric Tham, Michael Desjarlais, Roger Tagoona, Mark Owen, Connor Lowe-Wylde and Ian McNulty all scored for the Millionaires.
Graham Hildebrand suffered the loss after facing 41 shots. Zach Rakochey was the winning goalie making 34 saves for Melville.
The previous night, Kyle Birch was in net and he battled for a 6-5 overtime loss against Yorkton in a bit of a chippy game with the Sherwood Conference leading Terriers.
Keith Grondin had a game he may never forget, as he scored four goals - the final one coming with the goalie pulled and 24 seconds left in the third period. Braeden Johnson had the North Stars' first goal while adding two assists. Hall tallied four assists, defenceman Cris Neurauter had two helpers and Cody Folstad had one assist.
Former Humboldt Bronco Jeremy Boyer had two goals including the game winner in overtime. Jeremy Johnson, Brent Struble, Craig Eisenhut and Nathan Murray scored singles for the Terriers.
Backup Warren Shymko was in net for the Terriers after starting goalie Devin Peters was injured in the warmup. Shymko made 25 saves for the win while Birch stopped 28 shots.
After the Wednesday evening matchup with Humboldt the North Stars will have six games remaining, as will the Broncos. The North Stars face Flin Flon Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. Feb. 16, they play Nipawin in a make up game and finish the season with a home-and-home against Kindersley Feb. 18 in the Battlefords and Feb. 22 in Kindersley.
