Stars forward Matthew Henry, pictured here with Flin Flon's Matt Raymond, scored his team's first goal of the playoffs in Game 1, in addition to providing his brash brand of physicality to make his presence felt early in the series. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars lead series 1-0

North Stars look to continue roll in Game 2 versus Bombers

Mar 19, 2022 | 2:00 PM

Coming off a 7-3 win Friday night in Game 1, the Battlefords North Stars will look to continue their hot start to the playoffs Saturday, as the team will return to home ice for Game 2 of their first round series with the Flin Flon Bombers.

Stars captain, Ryland McNinch (first career playoff hat trick) and goaltender, Michael Harroch (47 saves) headlined Friday’s Game 1 win, which was truly an all hands on-deck performance for the Battlefords to take the 1-0 series lead in the teams’ best-of-seven showdown.

Stars captain, Ryland McNinch made an impact in every facet of the game in Game 1, scoring a goal shorthanded, on the power play and at even strength. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

All total, the Stars saw each of their top four scorers from the regular season get on the board with at least a goal each, as Dylan Esau, Jake Southgate and Steven Kesslering also scored to open the series, in Game 1 for the team.

Head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said it’s always great to see the big guys scoring right away, feeling good about their game early in the postseason.

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“It’s always nice to get off to a hot start and you always want to feel good, as it’s a clean slate heading into the playoffs,” Klimosko said. “If you start off hot, it makes you feel like you could have a strong playoffs.”

Boost to the lineup: The North Stars will see a return to action for both forward, Dace Prymak and defenceman, Jordan Grill after the pair each missed Game 1 due to injury. This will be Prymak’s first game back since Feb 20 (11 game absence) and Grill’s second since Feb. 15 (missed 13 of last 14) (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Special teams largely made the difference in Game 1, as the Stars scored a shorthanded goal in the first period, and added two power play goals back-to-back to end the second, in a storyline that will be worth keeping an eye on heading into Game 2.

While the Bombers’ man-advantage didn’t officially strike in the opening game (0/5), they remained dangerous throughout on their power play chances. Jacob Vockler did score just following the expiration of a five-on-three, and – along with Jaeden Mercier who was also flying throughout the night – could have had another if not for some 10-bell stops by Stars’ goalie, Michael Harroch.

Stopping 47 of the 50 shots he faced Friday, Harroch enters play in Game 2, with a sparkling .940 save percentage to start the series.

A battle of two of the league’s elite between the pipes, Flin Flon’s Cal Shell at the other end, will be primed for a strong bounce-back performance after allowing seven on 33 shots in Game 1.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., and puck drop at 7:30 p.m. There will be a guaranteed $2,500 50/50 at Saturday’s game at the ACC.

Stars-Bombers first round schedule:

Game 1: 7-3 North Stars (BAT leads series 1-0)

Game 2: Sat., Mar. 19 @ North Battleford

Game 3: Tues., Mar. 22 @ Flin Flon

Game 4: Wed., Mar. 23 @ Flin Flon

*Game 5: Fri., Mar. 25 @ North Battleford

*Game 6: Sun., Mar. 27 @ Flin Flon

*Game 7: Tues., Mar. 29 @ North Battleford

*If needed. Full schedule details and times can be found here.

In other action around the league, (#1) Estevan will host (#8) Notre Dame for Game 2 in Estevan (ND lead series 1-0 on double OT win in Game 1); (#2) Humboldt will play (#7) La Ronge in Game 2 in Humboldt (HUM leads series 1-0); and (#3) Melfort will host (#6) Yorkton in Game 2 in Melfort (MLF leads series 1-0).

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1