Stars Clinch Fourth With Win in Nipawin.

When Cole Gibson was acquired by the Battlefords North Stars, he was supposed to add some skill and depth. Consider it done. Cole Gibson continued his consistent play Wednesday with three goals which helped pave the way to a 6-4 Stars victory over the Nipawin Hawks. With the win, the Stars officially clinched fourth place in the Bauer Conference, and will have home-ice advantage with Flin Flon in the Survivor Series.

It wasn't a great start though for the Stars who trailed 2-1 after one. Tyler Paselawski and Dan Szerlip scored for Nipawin while Cole Gibson scored on a powerplay to keep the Stars within one. Kyle Birch was impressive in goal, stopping 13 of 15 that he faced. The Stars were outshot 15-6 after one.

46 seconds into the second, the Stars tied it. Brody Luhning converted a Colin Phaneuf pass through Stephen Klein and the game was tied.

Cole Gibson notched his second of the game roughly five minutes later to give the Stars their first lead. Keith Grondin then scored his 34th of the year to double the lead, anf then Gibson's third of the night spelt the end of the night for Stephen Klein. Lein was yanked after facing 18 shots.

In came Brody Hoffman and the Hawks picked up their play. Jamie Johnson batted one out of the air and beat Kyle Birch, and the Stars took a 5-3 lead into the lockerroom after 40 minutes.

Early in the third, Mitch Galbraith increased the Stars lead to three with his fourth of the year. Nipawin got a late powerplay goal from Brendan Tash, and that was it for scoring.

Nipawin finished one for three on the man-advantage while the Stars went three-for-three. The final shots on goal were: 40-35 favoring Nipawin.

Next up for the Stars, a battle with Kindersley, at home tomorrow night at 7:30.