For the first time since the 2013-14 season, the Battlefords North Stars have lost eight consecutive games.
The latest defeat was a 7-2 road loss to the Yorkton Terriers.
Despite the five-goal margin, the North Stars were pleased with their play in the second half and did not think the score reflected the game.
“I think something’s switching us there and that second half of the game, it just felt different on the bench. It felt like we had more life, a little bit of a heartbeat,” said North Stars assistant coach Owen Lamb after the game.
“I think we started finding a little bit more of our identity there. If we can continue to play like how we finished that game, I think there’ll be a little bit more success in our future.”
Although the North Stars saw positives in the second half, Yorkton controlled the first 30 minutes.
Tyson Medernach opened the scoring for the Terriers at 8:28 of the first period when Thomas Ries’ pass from in front of the net bounced off Medernach and into the net.
Yorkton added two goals late in the period. Peter Godley scored on a one-timer from the slot at 17:45 before Drew Heil added a power-play goal at 18:25 to give the Terriers a 3-0 lead.
After one: 3-0 Terriers, shots 12-7 Terriers
Aiden Vallance extended Yorkton’s lead to 4-0 at 3:55 of the second period, taking a pass in front and scoring his third goal of the season.
Mathys Morrissette made it 5-0 with the Terriers’ second power-play goal of the game.
Morrissette received a pass on the left side of the net, made a move down low and slid the puck past Claydon on his forehand at 8:52, ending the North Stars goaltender’s night.
Chase Kettles entered the game in relief, but the Terriers didn’t make things easy on him.
The Terriers made it 6-0 at 15:19 of the second period when Xavier Madore scored from the point just after a Yorkton power play ended.
The North Stars answered with two goals in the final two minutes of the period. Drew Williamson scored his third goal of the season on a one-timer to cut the Terriers’ lead to 6-1.
Just over 30 seconds later, Braydon Franks scored in his North Stars debut at 19:26 to make it 6-2 heading into the third period.
“I think it was good having a fresh face in the lineup. He brought some energy, obviously a great shot there by him, and he had some fire too,” Lamb said of Franks’ debut.
After two: 6-2 Terriers, shots 9-9, 21-16 Terriers overall
The North Stars had a chance to build on that momentum on the power play in the third period, but Austin Horbachewsky scored on a shorthanded breakaway to put the Terriers up 7-2.
Grady Hodgins tried to provide a spark for the North Stars by dropping the gloves with Morrissette. However, it was too little, too late as the North Stars lost their eighth straight game.
Final score: 7-2 Terriers, shots 8-6 Terriers, 29-22 Terriers overall
As the North Stars prepare to visit the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday, Lamb knows it’s a tough challenge ahead.
“They’re a very good team over there. Really elite players on their top end. So, we’re going to have to bring that heart and that compete we had towards the end of that game and bring that for 60 minutes.”
The North Stars will look to end their losing streak Wednesday when they conclude their five-game road trip.
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