The Battlefords North Stars will look for a bounce-back game Saturday night in La Ronge, after falling 5-3 to the Ice Wolves Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Ice Wolves show bite

North Stars fall 5-3 in La Ronge

Nov 14, 2020 | 1:36 AM

The Battlefords North Stars fell 5-3 to the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Friday night in La Ronge.

Connor Gabruch, Jaxon Steele and Jake Southgate scored their first goals of the season for the Stars in the loss, while goalie, Kristian Lyon stopped 37-of-42 shots-against on the night.

Spencer Kennedy, Mathieu Belanger, Brandon Della Paolera, Holden Knights, and Nolan Doell scored for La Ronge in the victory, while Xavier Cannon made 30 saves on 33 Stars’ shots for the win.

Spencer Kennedy’s first of the season came on the opening shot of the night, just 18 seconds into the game, making it 1-0 La Ronge early.

However, the North Stars would bounce back later in the frame on Connor Gabruch’s first as a North Star.

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Gabruch’s shot from the high slot beat the Ice Wolves’ goalie clean between the pads on a quick release, knotting the game up, 1-1 to end the first.

In the second, it was the North Stars’ turn to pot one on their opening shift, as veteran Jaxon Steele capitalized for his first of the year, in his season debut.

Steele’s goal came just 11 seconds into the second period on a quick shot in front of the cage, giving the Battlefords their first lead of the night, at 2-1 Stars.

Belanger tied things for La Ronge at the 8:13 mark of the middle period, before forwards Brandon Della Paolera and Holden Knights both scored in relatively quick succession, to make it 4-2 Ice Wolves late in the second.

The Stars though, weren’t going away quietly.

Rookie Jake Southgate scored his first goal as a North Star, and first career Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goal, on a one-timer from the right side. His tally cut the deficit to 4-3 with just a minute to go before the second intermission.

Among the positives on the night for the Stars was Jake Southgate’s first career SJHL goal, for the team he grew up cheering for in the Battlefords. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Despite a push in the third period though, and even a brief 5-on-3 power play to boot, that is as close as the Stars would come in their comeback bid.

Nolan Doell put the game away for La Ronge for good with his first of the year, midway through the third, to make it 5-3 Ice Wolves the final.

The North Stars will now get just under 24 hours to rest up and regroup, before returning to action once again versus La Ronge Saturday night, seeking retribution with a win of their own.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show Saturday at 7 p.m. Puck drop will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summery

First period:

0:18 LAR Spencer Kennedy (1) ASST: Gavin Mattey (2)

14:32 BAT Connor Gabruch (1) ASST: Timon Prexler (1), Breydon Berthold (1)

Second period:

0:11 BAT Jaxon Steele (1) ASST: None

8:13 LAR Mathieu Belanger (1) ASST: Adam McNutt (1), Josh Makarchuk (1)

10:24 LAR Brandon Della Paolera (1) ASST: Ethan Strik (1)

16:59 LAR Holden Knights (2) ASST: Adam McNutt (2), Nolan Allan (1)

19:00 BAT Jake Southgate (1) ASST: Ryland McNinch (1), Jaxon Steele (1)

Third period:

10:19 LAR Nolan Doell (1) ASST: Chad McIlwain (2), Holden Knights (1)

5-3 Ice Wolves, the Final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1