Stars captain, Ryland McNinch pictured here with Flin Flon's Matt Egan, has been a force for the Battlefords, with three goals, six points through the first three games of the playoffs. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back in Flin Flon

North Stars look to put Bombers on brink with bounce back Game 4

Mar 23, 2022 | 1:51 PM

Up 2-games-to-1 in their first round playoff series with the Flin Flon Bombers, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Wednesday for Game 4 in Flin Flon, looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

After winning the first two games on home ice over the weekend, the Bombers answered back with a 4-2 win of their own Tuesday night in their first game at the Whitney Forum, as the home team has now won each of the seven games the rivals have played this year, dating back to the regular season series which the teams split 2-2.

Back at Flin Flon’s storied arena Wednesday, head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said to buck the trend the team just needs to get back to playing their game, and stay out of the penalty box.

“When you give [the Bombers] eight opportunities, they’re going to burry a couple, and I think that’s the big thing, is being able to keep the game five-on-five,” Klimosko said. “We’re as good as any team in the league five-on-five, and just have to make sure we get to do that more this game than last.”

Flin Flon saw key contributors Xavier Lapointe and Drew Kuzma get on the board with their first goals of the series in Game 3, while Rylan Thiessen scored for the second-straight game, and Jaeden Mercier added a pair of assists for his first two points of the playoffs as well.

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Pictured L-R: Bombers defenceman, Xavier Lapointe and Stars forward, Steven Kesslering have been the engines for their respective teams through the opening three games. Lapointe is coming off a two-point performance Tuesday in Game 3, while Kesslering has scored in each of the three games so far. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Despite the loss in Game 3, the Stars top two lines also continued to lead the way for the team offensively, as Steven Kesslering scored his third of the playoffs from Dylan Esau and Emmett Wurst, to give him goals in each game so far; while Holden Doell also scored a beauty from Ryland McNinch and Jake Southgate to get on the board with his first as well.

Wednesday’s game will be available on 1050 CJNB an hour earlier than usual, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6 p.m., and puck drop at 6:30 p.m.

In other Game 4 action around the league, the (#8) Notre Dame Hounds will host (#1) Estevan in Wilcox (EST leads 2-1); The (#7) La Ronge Ice Wolves will host (#2) Humboldt Broncos in La Ronge (LAR leads 2-1); and the (#6) Yorkton Terriers will host (#3) Melfort Mustangs in Yorkton (YOR leads 2-1).

North Stars playoff schedule, Round 1:

Game #1: Stars win 7-3; lead series 1-0

Game #2: Stars win 4-2; lead series 2-0

Game #3: Bombers win 4-2; Stars lead series 2-1

Game #4: Wed., March 23 @ Flin Flon

Game #5: Fri., March 25 @ North Battleford

*Game #6: Sun., March 27 @ Flin Flon

*Game #7: Tues., March 29 @ North Battleford

*If needed.

Full schedule details are available here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1