Two weeks ago Kyle Birch started Game One of the Melfort series and lost. For the next two weeks he watched his counterpart Graham Hildebrand find success and win a series.
Birch could have sulked, pouted and been a distraction. Instead he stayed the course. He worked hard in practice, stayed positive while supported his fellow netminder, and when Ken Pearson needed Birch to win him a game, he delivered.
Kyle Birch made up for lost time on Saturday night with a 32 save shutout, and the Battlefords North Stars defeated La Ronge 4-0 in front of 1750 fans at the N.B. Civic Center.
The Stars were tested early when Chad Filteau took a double-minor penalty for high-sticking. The Ice Wolves had full pressure in the Star's zone, when Mike Alexander coughed up a puck to Brett Miller. Miller raced in on a short-handed breakaway and made no mistake, beating Bartko with a backhand. 1-0 home team.
The Stars were outshot 14-12 in the first period, and Kyle Birch made several key stops.
The Stars rewarded their goaltender with a goal early in the second period. Josh Daley won a battle by the boards, and forced the puck back to Woody Klassen. Klassen ripped a shot towards the net which was blocked, but the puck careened off a skate and right to the stick of Blake Peake who wired it past Bartko for a 2-0 Stars lead.
Daley would be a factor on the Star's third goal at 12:24. Shay Neufeld kept a puck in along the boards, and then fired it behind the Wolves net where it came to Josh Daley. Daley crept in from the boards, but then dropped the puck back to Grant Fahnhorst. 'Fonzy' took two strides and then shelved one on Bartko for a 3-0 Star's lead.
After Fahnhorst's goal, the Stars kept the pressure on, and Bartko made several major saves. The Stars outshot La Ronge 17-7 in period two.
Boyd Wakelin added a fourth late in the third period and the game was sealed.
Kyle Birch was named first star for his 32 save performance. Blake Peake got second star for his goal and solid play. Josh Daley was named third star on the broadcast due to his efforts.
After the game, Star's assistant coach Blair Atcheynum praised the collective effort of the Star's defence, and admitted that there was not a single passenger on the Star's bench during the game.
Now the Stars head North to La Ronge tied 1-1 in the best of seven series. The Wolves still have home-ice advantage in the series, and will no doubt be looking forward to their two home games. It'll be up to the Stars to continue their solid road play and steal one or two from the Mel Heglund Arena.
Game three goes Tuesday night at 7:30 with the Sask-Tel Pregame Show starting at 7:15.
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2 comments:
Great game tonight way to go Birch, that should earn him another start, it was the best i have seen the D play all year as a unit. Good job Ken with the 7 defenseman even though ward had to sit. GO STARS GO they must have lots of confidence
To be honest, I was a little worried after game 1. Not because of the way the boys played, but thought that the Wolves might be a "Team of Destiny". Game 2 we dominated. When the feed came through on "The Game of the Week", which wasn't often, it looked as if we had them at our mercy. Let's keep the momentum going, Stars.
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