North Stars Alex Izyk (#26) and Kian Bell (#27) lead the post-series handshake line opposite Jacob Vockler (#41) and Adam McNutt (#44) of the Bombers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A Look Back

North Stars semi-finals recap versus Bombers

Apr 11, 2024 | 3:03 PM

The Battlefords North Stars saw their season come to an end this week, following a hard-fought four-game semi-finals series with the rival, Flin Flon Bombers.

Despite the loss, the series wasn’t without its moments where the team shined, leaving it all on the ice in the rematch of last year’s SJHL Final.

Game 1:

The opening game of the series in Flin Flon was headlined by an incredible 55-save performance by goaltender Logan Cunningham, as the North Stars battled right to the final horn, in a 4-3 Flin Flon final.

Superstars, Ben Portner of the North Stars and Justin Lies of the Bombers each posted two-goal games to lead the way offensively for their teams, with the final four goals of the game coming on the power play for either side, as the North Stars’ posted a 2-for-3 billing on the man advantage and the Bombers were 2-for-5.

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The full story of Game 1 can be found here.

Game 2:

A 2-0 Bombers’ lead at the end of the first, the North Stars again saw their top line lead the comeback bid, as Portner and Kian Bell each chipped in a goal and an assist apiece in the middle period – separated by one more by Flin Flon’s Anthony Bax – to make it a 3-2 game into the third.

Kian Bell wins a faceoff back to Ben Portner during series play against the Bombers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Three straight by the Bombers put the game away in the final frame, as six different players cashed in for the team en route to a 6-2 Flin Flon win.

The full story of Game 2 can be found here.

Game 3:

Returning home to the Battlefords for Game 3, this time Bell scored a pair, while Cunningham made 40-plus stops for a third straight game, in what was a 2-2 affair through the opening two periods.

In the third, Bombers’ forward Carter Anderson scored a between-the-legs goal in the opening minutes to put Flin Flon ahead for good, followed by two more from the visitors to end the night, 5-2.

The full story of Game 3 can be found here.

Game 4:

Despite a 5-1 defeat in the fourth-and-deciding game of the series Tuesday, the North Stars played some of their best hockey of the playoffs in their final game of the year, leaving it all on the ice.

Stars’ veteran Hunter Burgeson scored his fourth of the playoffs on a power play goal in the first period, while Cunningham made 33 saves for the team, in a 2-1 game at the end of the first, and 3-1 game through 40 minutes.

It remained a two-goal contest to the final 4:07 of play, when Anthony Piccininno notched his second of the series, followed by an Adam McNutt empty-netter to stretch the lead to 5-1 Bombers.

The full story of Game 4 can be found here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1