The top team in the SJHL doesn't lose two games in a row often, even if underhanded. An already banged up Battlefords North Stars lost two players during their game against the Flin Flon Bombers Feb. 15, but that didn't stop them from winning 4-1.
Flin Flon starter Jacob Delorme was peppered in the first period, facing 26 shots. Delorme had no rest as he got the start the night before, with the Bombers picking up a 6-1 win. The North Stars would convert twice in the first, taking a 2-1 lead into the second period.
Matthias Urbanski opened the scoring for the North Stars with Donavan Houle-Villeneuve in the penalty box serving a kneeing minor.
Houle-Villeneuve made up up for his mistake, causing a turnover in the offensive zone, breaking in on Battlefords starter Adam Dmyterko, deking a few times and roofing the puck past the helpless goalie. It would be Flin Flon's only goal of the game.
The North Stars took the lead again before the end of the first period when Kaden Boser picked up his ninth of the year. They would extend the lead to 3-1 in the second period, when Matthew Fletcher took advantage of some sloppy defensive play to pick up an unassisted goal.
After getting outshot by a wide margin in the first period, Flin Flon did a better job of preventing rubber from heading towards Delorme, giving up eight shots in the second period and seven shots in the final frame. Excluding the first period, the Bombers outshot the North Stars by 12.
Flin Flon's top rated powerplay was not clicking during the game, unable to score on five opportunities. With the game sitting at 3-1 at the start of the third period, Seth Summers slashed Cole Rafuse as he cut in on net. With the Bombers already on the powerplay, they got a five on three opporunity, but were not even able to threaten with the multi-man advantage.
That powerplay hurt more then just on the scoreboard. While playing the point, Alec Malo stuck out his foot to keep the puck in the offensive zone. He immediately fell to the ice, and needed help getting up and to the locker room. He did not return.
Despite the later game shot totals, Battlefords never seemed to be in trouble as the game wound down. The undermanned crew stifled Flin Flon's high powered offense and made it look easy. The Bombers did generate some chances with their goalie pulled, but were not able to beat Dmyterko.
Austin Becker iced the win with a long range empty net goal. The victory clinches first place in the SJHL for the North Stars.
The Bombers are still three points away from clinching the Sherwood division. Melfort's victory over Melville means the maroon and white are no closer to clinching their playoff spot. Flin Flon is also no closer to securing second overall in the SJHL standings, with Yorkton's 3-2 win over Notre Dame.
The Bombers will look to clinch the Sherwood Division at home next week. They'll be in action against Notre Dame on Feb. 19 and 22. In between matchups against he Hounds, they'll play the Estevan Bruins on Feb. 21. All games are 7:30 p.m. at the Whitney Forum.
