Doell’s heroics lead way, as Stars top Klippers in OT

Kindersley’s Josh Danis then tied the game midway through the frame on his second of the year, to make it 1-1 at the end of the first, with the shots all but even as well at 15-14 in favor of the Battlefords.

After Tylin Hilbig’s first of the game and team-leading 14th of the season made it 2-1 Klippers, Steven Kesslering answered back for the Stars, cashing in on a heads-up play by Colby Bear.

Firing the puck into the zone, Bear then anticipated where the goalie was about to play it, jumping into the lane just in time to intercept the pass, and feed Kesslering for a quick shot home from the slot. His 16th of the season, the goal again knotted the score through two periods, at 2-2.

Stars goalie, Austin Schwab stopped 37/41 Klippers shots Saturday, to earn the win in his season debut with the team. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Kindersley came out for the third period flying, scoring a pair of goals within the first minute and a half, from Hilbig (his second of the game) and Klipper captain, Jaxon Georget. Just like that, it was 4-2 Kindersley.

Heading into the final five minutes of play in regulation and still trailing by a goal, Stars’ captain, Ryland McNinch ripped a wrister off the crossbar-and-in from the half-boards for a power play goal to keep his team alive, down 4-3.

Then, with just under 2:30 to go, Jake Southgate cashed in on a Zane Florence rebound, driving the front of the goal for his team-leading 18th, to tie the game a final time, and punch his team’s ticket to overtime.

With another goal Saturday, Jake Southgate has now scored four goals, 10 points through five games since the new year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

In the extra frame, both goaltenders were tested but stood strong. In the final minute of OT – and with the time winding down – Stars’ goalie Austin Schwab robbed Klippers’ defenceman Nathan DeGraves on a breakaway opportunity, leading to a rush the other way soon after.

Picking up the puck just outside his defensive blue line, Holden Doell then raced down ice, with a Klipper defender on his heels. Despite being largely at the end of his shift, the Stars’ first-year standout cruised in on goal to snap a quick shot home to bring the fans to their feet with the OT winner.

Doell said following the night’s action, the win just goes to show the character of the team.

“It’s a special group out here this year, so we just knew we were going to battle back and tie the game,” Doell said. “It was nice to get the overtime winner, but I’ve gotta give credit to Jake [Southgate] and Nincher (Ryland McNinch) for scoring the tying goals.. it was just a crazy game.”

With the win, the North Stars improve to 23-10-5 on the season, and sit fourth overall with 51 points, tied with third-place, Melfort.

The Stars will now get nearly a full week off, before returning to play Friday night in Wilcox, against the Notre Dame Hounds. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars 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:

7:54 BAT Tynan Ewart (5) ASST: Jake Southgate (23), Keiton Klein (12) (PP)

11:06 KIN Josh Danis (2) ASST: Josh Pufahl (7)

Second period:

10:44 KIN Tylin Hilbig (14) ASST: Andrew Schaab (13), Jaxon Georget (11)

11:49 BAT Steven Kesslering (16) ASST: Colby Bear (7)

Third period:

1:03 KIN Tylin Hilbig (15) ASST: Andrew Schaab (14)

1:31 KIN Jaxon Georget (10) ASST: Tylin Hilbig (10), Andrew Schaab (15)

15:40 BAT Ryland McNinch (13) ASST: None (PP)

17:36 BAT Jake Southgate (18) ASST: Zane Florence (8), Holden Doell (19)

Overtime:

4:40 BAT Holden Doell (8) ASST: None

5-4 OT North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Doell’s heroics lead way, as Stars top Klippers in OT

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