The Battlefords North Stars erased an early three-goal deficit to beat the Kindersley Klippers 4-3 on Friday night.
“It’s not how we wanted to start the game going down 3-0 that quick. But really proud of the guys for sticking with it and believing in themselves that they could come back,” said North Stars assistant coach Owen Lamb after the game.
The Klippers opened the scoring at 1:14 of the first period.
After North Stars goaltender Chase Kettles made a series of saves, Konnor Watson fired a rebound past him to give Kindersley a 1-0 lead.
Just 40 seconds later, at 1:54, Austin Bruce extended his point streak to four games with a goal to make it 2-0.
Kash Ringdal scored on a rebound from the doorstep at 2:37, giving the Klippers a 3-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
Grady Hodgins got one back for the North Stars at 5:34, scoring top shelf off the rush on their first shot of the game to cut the Klippers’ lead to 3-1.
“He’s been awesome for us. He was leading the way, even in those three minutes where things weren’t going well. He was out there making things happen, and he was really noticeable,” said Lamb.
“He’s got so much confidence now, and he just plays so fast.”
After one: 3-1 Klippers, shots 13-11 Klippers
The North Stars scored a pair of goals in the second period to tie things up.
Michiel Leenders scored his sixth goal of the season at 15:28. He moved toward the slot from the right side and beat Mattias Radke on the blocker side to make it 3-2.
Near the end of the period, Brody Guiltner slid the puck past Radke to tie the game at 19:38.
After two: Tied 3-3, shots 14-10 Klippers, 27-21 Klippers total
After a scoreless opening half of the third period, Carter Geysen scored his first goal of the season.
Braydon Franks brought the puck into the zone on the right side and sent a drop pass to Geysen.
Geysen one-timed the puck from the point past Radke to give the North Stars their first lead of the game at 4-3.
Lamb said he was happy for Geysen to score such an important goal.
After that, the North Stars locked things down for the win.
Final score: 4-3 North Stars, third-period shots 7-6 Klippers, total shots 34-27 Klippers
“Our guys on the bench were talking to each other, making sure we’re doing the good habits, stopping pucks, getting clears, just making hard plays,” Lamb said.
“When everyone’s bought in like that, you can find success in shutting down teams and walking on a lead, and that’s what it’s gonna take.”
The North Stars host the Klippers on Saturday in the rematch.
“We know they’re going to play fast. They jump the walls,” Lamb said.
“Just taking care of our game, focussing on ourselves.”
The Ultra Print pregame show begins at 7 p.m., followed by NAPA Auto Parts North Stars hockey at 7:30 p.m. on 93.3 Beach Radio.
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