Stars Clip the Hawks 4-2.

Friday night in Nipawin, the Battlefords North Stars took full advantage of their power-plays and killed seven penalties in a 4-2 victory over the Nipawin Hawks.

Blake Tatchell and Colin Phaneuf both scored on five-on-three opportunities and the penalty-kill was flawless. The Stars finished two for six on the man-advantage while killing all seven power-plays against.

The game was scoreless after one and early in the second, Nipawin drew first blood. Eli Litchenwald out home a Mathew Spafford rebound to earn his 14th of the year. It wouldn't take the Stars long to respond.
The trio of Boyd Wakelin, Robbie Newton and Dan Franks were rewarded for their hard work down low when Franks out home the rebound off a Cris Neurauter point-shot.

Tempers started to flair mid-way through the game when Tim Rollins dropped the gloves with Hawks captain Brant Remenda. The game featured lots of hacking and post-whistle scrums.

Late in the second (19:15), the Stars were given a five-on-three power-play and took the lead when Colin Phaneuf one-timed a Keith Grondin pass by Brody Hoffman.
Halfway through the third period, the Stars were given another five-on-three and again made no mistake. Blake Tatchell put home is 15th of the season on a rebound. Brody Luhning took the initial shot from the right point which hand-cuffed Hoffman.

The Hawks responded a few moments later when Mathew Spafford buried a rebound of his own.

Back came the Stars though and Keith Grondin pounced on a Colin Phaneuf rebound and shovelled his 19th of the year past Brody Hoffman.

The Hawks were given a late five-on-three power-play of their own, but the
Star's PK held their ground. The Stars had two short-handed breakaways throughout the game, but neither Samuel Fortier or Tanner Schwab were able to capitalize.

Kyle Birch was solid in goal and made a number of nice saves, especially early.

The victory improves the Star's record to 13-14-1-1 and gives them 28 points on the season. The Stars are now off to Flin Flon for a big divisional match-up with the Bombers who have won five straight.

A game preview will be posted shortly.