Stars teammates swarm forward, Emmett Wurst (#18) after scoring one of his two goals on the night, Saturday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Sweep weekend series

Klein, Wurst add pair each as Stars top Klippers 5-1

Sep 18, 2022 | 12:16 AM

The Battlefords North Stars gave their home crowd a reason to celebrate Saturday night, taking home a 5-1 win in their home opener against Kindersley.

Veterans, Emmett Wurst and Keiton Klein each chipped in a pair to lead the team to victory, while first-year standout, Jackson Allan also added the first of his SJHL career, and goalie, Josh Kotai stopped 30 of 31 shots between the pipes.

Klein’s first of the night put the Stars in front 1-0 just 1:30 into the first period, deflecting a Jordan Grill shot in front of the goal for his first of the night and second of the weekend.

Despite five Kindersley power plays in the frame – including a full 2-minute five-on-three advantage – the goal would be the lone of the opening period.

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In the second, Emmett Wurst tallied his first of the game, again on a quick shot in front from a play made by blue liner, Tanner Gold.

His first of the season, Wurst’s marker was also the lone goal of the second period, making it a 2-0 game at the second intermission; though the Battlefords outshot the Klippers 20-7 in the middle frame.

In the third, Kindersley’s Spencer Paplawski notched his first of the year from Adam Paplawski on a slick one-time play in front to cut the Kindersley deficit in half at 2-1 Battlefords.

However, that is as close as the visitors would come.

Eventually the proverbial dam broke, as the Stars fired another 18 shots on goal in the third, en route to a trio of goals to put the game out of reach.

Jackson Allan’s first of his junior career came off a quick snapshot from the circle to make it 3-1, before both Wurst and Klein (on the power play) added their second each, to cap the scoring on the night at 5-1.

North Stars rookie, Jackson Allan has hit the ground running this year with the Stars. After scoring two goals in his first pre-season game with the team, the first-year standout scored his first of the regular season in just his second game. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Klippers’ goalie, Colton Phillips Watts kept his team in the game for much of the night, stopping 43 of 48 shots against.

With the victory, the Stars are now 2-0 to start the season. The team will now get three days off to practice and regroup ahead of their return to action on home ice Wednesday at the ACC against the Notre Dame Hounds.

Another Global Ag Risk Solutions Division rivalry game, Wednesday’s contest will once again begin at 7:30 p.m. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars 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.

Scoring summary

First period:

1:30 BAT Keiton Klein (2) ASST: Jordan Grill (1)

Second period:

12:06 BAT Emmett Wurst (1) ASST: Tanner Gold (1), Brad Blake (1)

Third period:

7:47 KIN Spencer Paplawski (1) ASST: Adam Paplawski (1)

10:25 BAT Jackson Allan (1) ASST: Tanner Gold (2)

11:37 BAT Emmett Wurst (2) ASST: Jake Southgate (2), Ty Bahm (1)

15:33 BAT Keiton Klein (3) ASST: Tynan Ewart (1), Jackson Allan (2) PP

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1