Despite the loss, there were positives for the Stars to take out of Tuesday's game, including a perfect 4/4 night on the penalty kill, led by captain, Ryland McNinch. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

tough road loss

North Stars drop OT heartbreaker in La Ronge

Dec 8, 2021 | 1:30 AM

It was a tough pill to swallow Tuesday night for the Battlefords North Stars, as the team fell 5-4 in overtime to the Ice Wolves in La Ronge.

Despite back-to-back goals in the opening minutes from K.T. Walters and Bradley Blake, the Stars hot start would last to the end of the period at 2-0, though that wouldn’t stop La Ronge from hanging around.

After Ice Wolves’ forward, Curren Wintonyk-Pilot scored his first of the night to get his team back into the game, down 2-1, the Stars again added a quick pair to stretch their lead to 4-1.

First Jake Southgate notched his team-leading 13^th on a diving play in front, before Zane Florence added his eighth on the man advantage as well, to stretch the lead out to three-goals.

However, rather than back down, La Ronge again hung around. Brandon Della Paolera cashed in for his 10^th with just under 1:30 to go in the second frame, to make it a two-goal contest again at 4-2 Stars.

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A physical game with bite throughout, the animosity boiled to a head midway through the second, when Brad Blake and La Ronge’s Tye Evans tangled up on a faceoff at centre ice, ultimately dropping the gloves. The fight served as both players’ first of their SJHL careers.

Wintonyk-Pilot’s second goal of the night and fifth of the season got the Ice Wolves back to within one, making it a 4-3 game just under two minutes into the third, before a Conrad Mitchell breakaway goal tied the game completing the rally.

Cashing in five-hole for a highlight-reel goal to get his team back on even footing, Mitchell’s fourth of the year coincidentally made it 4-4 to end regulation.

In three-on-three overtime, the Wolves took just over a minute into the frame to pounce on the winner, as Aaron Greyeyes received a pass from the corner into the mid-slot, which he slung home on a wicked wrister.

Despite a combined nine goals-against, the goaltenders at either end remained solid throughout, as Michael Harroch stopped 35 of 40 Ice Wolves shots in the loss, while Xavier Cannon saved 39 of 43 shots-against.

With the loss, the North Stars still pick up a single point, but have now dropped three-straight, each by a single goal apiece (and two in overtime). The Stars are now 17-7-4 on the year, and sit fourth overall, with 38 points.

The North Stars will return to action Friday on home ice, when they welcome the Melfort Mustangs to town. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

2:17 BAT K.T. Walters (11) ASST: Ryland McNinch (11), Easton Rask (5)

2:42 BAT Bradley Blake (2) ASST: Tynan Ewart (14), Emmett Wurst (5)

Second period:

5:26 LAR Curren Wintonyk-Pilot (4) ASST: Ethan Strik (4), Parker Layton (12)

8:25 BAT Jake Southgate (13) ASST: Jordan Grill (8), Holden Doell (16)

12:58 BAT Zane Florence (8) ASST: Sam Witt (9), Dylan Esau (18)

18:33 LAR Brandon Della Paolera (10) ASST: Aaron Greyeyes (9)

Third period:

1:50 LAR Curren Wintonyk-Pilot (5) ASST: Bryan Gilman (11), Ethan Strik (5)

11:23 LAR Conrad Mitchell (4) ASST: Bryan Gilman (12)

Overtime:

1:13 LAR Aaron Greyeyes (13) ASST: Taylor Webb (4)

5-4 OT Ice Wolves, the Final.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1