By Martin Martinson

Overtime thriller

North Stars cash in with OT win against Millionaires

Feb 1, 2019 | 11:39 PM

The Battlefords North Stars defeated the Melville Millionaires 3-2 in thrilling overtime fashion Friday night, thanks to the heroics of forward Elijah Loon-Stewardson, who scored his 11th of the season just 56 seconds into the extra frame to deliver his team the full two points.

The win propels the Stars into the second spot of the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division, pulling the Battlefords even with the Humboldt Broncos at 59 points on the season, while still holding a game in-hand.

Kindersley, who also took home a 4-2 victory Friday night over Yorkton, remains atop the division with 61 points.

Kaden Boser opened the scoring for the North Stars with his second goal of the season, cashing in on the rebound from a MacGregor Sinclair shot 10:51 into the first period.

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Boser’s goal stood as the lone tally of the opening frame.

After a scoreless start to the second, Millionaires’ defenseman Payton Jerome notched his second goal of the season to tie things up 1-1.

However, the tie was short-lived.

Just over one minute later, Sinclair, in his 150th career SJHL game, scored his 21 goal of the campaign on the power play to re-up his team’s advantage 2-1 at the conclusion of two.

In the third, Melville tied the game once again, this time off a Michael Boutoussov shot far-side that served as the forward’s first of the season.

Heading into 3-on-3 overtime the momentum was swinging back-and-forth.

In the extra session, Melville won the draw and held possession for the first 35 seconds or so with the team’s top line of Josh Borynec, Luke Spadafora and Damian Bentz, all three forwards, the designated personnel for the home side in their bid to complete the comeback.

The momentum shifted however, thanks to a highlight-reel stop by Stars’ netminder Chad Duran.

After that initial half-minute and change of pressure on the attack, the Millionaires got their best chance of the game – a shot from the blue line that deflected off the stick of Borynec about five-feet in front of the Stars goal, only to be snatched out of midair by the catching-glove of the American netminder.

The ensuing faceoff deep in the Stars’ zone leaded to the Battlefords’ first overtime rush of their own on the offensive, in what was their last needed.

Carrying the puck through the middle of the ice and into the attacking zone, Quintin Loon-Stewardson broke in on goal with a head of steam.

Fending off the defender, the rookie fired a backhand shot off the goalie’s chest and right out in front for Quintin’s awaiting brother, Elijah, to knock home on the rebound – which he did – much to the delight of his teammates.

The North Stars will now prepare for a quick turnaround, as the team returns to action Saturday night against the Yorkton Terriers. Fans can catch the action on 1050 CJNB with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

10:51 BAT Kaden Boser (2) ASST: Cody Spagrud (23), MacGregor Sinclair (31)

Second period:

10:04 MLV Payton Jerome (2) ASST: Daniel Liberty (13), Luke Spadafora (26)

11:06 BAT MacGregor Sinclair (21) ASST: Cody Spagrud (24), Braydon Buziak (18) (PP)

Third period:

12:56 MLV Michael Boutoussov (1) ASST: Ryan Butler (6), Sam De Melo (10)

Overtime:

0:56 BAT Elijah Loon-Stewardson (11) ASST: Quintin Loon-Stewardson (10)

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1