Stars forward, Jake Southgate has been a force this postseason for the Battlefords, and will be counted on heavily again in Game 6, to help push the series to a seventh game. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Looking to Force Game 7

North Stars face must-win in Game 6 with season on the line

Mar 27, 2022 | 2:15 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will put their season on the line Sunday night at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon, for Game 6 of their first round playoff series with the Flin Flon Bombers.

The Stars trail their best-of-seven series 3-games-to-2, and must win to force a Game 7 back on home ice Tuesday night.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said despite the high stakes, the team is poised and ready to bring their best heading into their biggest game yet this year.

“The guys are dialed in and we know what needs to be done, so we’ll need our best effort of the series tonight,” Klimosko said. “We can’t be intimidated by this rink tonight; last time we were here we played pretty well and had a chance to win a hockey game but kind of let it slip, so we’re going to need a full strong effort here tonight.”

It has been a whirlwind of a series, filled with ups and downs for both teams through the first six games.

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The North Stars won the opening two games of the series, as captain Ryland McNinch scored a hat trick and goaltender Michael Harroch made 47-saves in a 7-3, Game 1 win; while hometown standout Jake Southgate added a pair of goals and Harroch stopped 31/33 in Game 2’s 4-2 victory.

As the series shifted to Flin Flon for Games 3 and 4, the Bombers then won their first two on home ice, before adding the first road win of the series as well, in Game 5.

Key pieces such as Xavier Lapointe and Drew Kuzma got on the board in the Game 3’s 4-2 Bomber win, while Jacob Vockler scored the 4-3 OT winner in Game 4, after the team scored two in the third to force extra time. Gabriel Shipper’s pair of goals in Game 5 gave the team a 3-1 win, leading Flin Flon to their 3-2 series lead.

The North Stars will need all hands on-deck Sunday to bring the series back to the Battlefords for a seventh game.

Stars forward, Emmett Wurst has been a Swiss Army knife for the team all season, playing center and wing throughout the lineup while providing good intangibles, and smart, gritty two-way play. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Highlighting the lineup changes heading into Game 6, Emmett Wurst will re-join Dylan Esau (three goals, five points) and Steven Kesslering (tied for team-leading three goals, seven points) in the top-six on what has been the team’s most consistent line through the series. Dace Prymak and Keiton Klein – who have a goal apiece this postseason – will also be joined by Zane Florence on another key two-way unit for the club, which will see all three play a role on the special teams as well.

Perhaps the biggest key to extending the series for the Stars will be limiting their times shorthanded, as the team have seen strong play at even strength often broken up by penalties taken, having allowed 25 Flin Flon power plays through the opening five games of the series for an average of five against per-game.

Sunday’s Game 6 in Flin Flon will be available on 1050 CJNB an hour earlier than usual, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 6:30 p.m.

In other Game 6 series action around the league, the (#7) La Ronge Ice Wolves will host the (#2) Humboldt Broncos (HUM lead series 3-2); and the (#6) Yorkton Terriers will host the (#3) Melfort Mustangs (YOR lead series 3-2).

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: Bombers win 4-3 OT, Series tied 2-2

Game #5: Bombers win 3-1; lead series 3-2

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

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

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

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1