The Battlefords North Stars wrapped up their regular season in the same way it started with a loss to the Kindersley Klippers. Only this time there was little intrigue. Kindersley scored three times in each period and beat the North Stars 9-2. Spencer Braaten, Sanfred King and Braedon Adamyk each scored twice for Kindersley.
It's a good thing the game meant nothing because it's exactly how the Stars treated it.
Nothing was clicking. Missed nets, bad coverage, bad passes and a total lack of physicality were all huge factors in the game. That and I'm sure there were at least three goals that Graham Hildebrand would want back.
On the bright side, the regular season is over. For everyone involved, I'm sure there is quite a bit of relief. Even after all of the ups and downs and frustration that this season has caused, the Stars can throw 26-29-2-1 out the window.
They are now 0-0 heading into Friday. A bad save percentage? Who cares! 75 points? Damn impressive, but that is a thing of the past. The Stars can officially start over on Friday night.
Ken Pearson said post-game that he expects a much more focused, determined and emotional team Friday. I have no reason to disagree. These kids have shown authentic passion, skill and dedication in spurts throughout the season. If they want to be playing hockey still come March and April, they'll need to bring it on a more consistent basis.
Tonight was not a good night, but EVERYTHING changes Friday night. Even after a terrible Tuesday night, I can't help but smile at the thought of a 0-0 record. I'm sure I'm sure I'm not alone.
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10 comments:
It still stinks that Graham H. was hung out to dry.
Embarrassing loss to Kindersley. The new season starts Friday. Hope the boys are focused and have the desire to WIN. Don't want the season to end until May 9th!
hung out to dry? the stars outshot the klippers
Anon 3, shots were not a factor in this game, quality of shots were, of which the Klippers had many, the Stars, not so many. Kenny should be ashamed of himself for continually embarassing his tenders, way to inject confidence into them Kenny.
With the score 7-2 the Klips were still back checking like they were down a goal, while Kenny stood on the bench in silence, as usual.
oh dear another crumpy parent!
Anon 4..its not "Kenny" c'mon everyone...I dont care who you are.... you cant teach heart...this team is suspect of heart and genuine hard work....if you look real close, this should not be a surprise, "once a stripe, always a stripe"... it doesnt matter what coaches do they cant force heart and integrity on ice, both ends of the ice. Only thing they can do is keep up the effort and try and salvage a good playoff run...if they cant play with desire and heart, then make changes for players who work their ass off for next season.
Watch Pearson on the bench friday nite and let me know how much motivaton he instills in his players.......or if he even says anything.
Great coaching, it's been like that all year.
hahah you people are funny. Kenny coached the same way last year and I didnt see or hear you complain!! Don't worry I hear he isn't coming back anyway, even after being given an extension 3 weeks ago.
anon 6 is bang on i agree 100%. anon 7 what you want ken to do skate out on the ice with these young men and hold there hand. they are been shown what to do and just not executing, and by this time it should be automatic to the players that you have to work hard and with ken, blair and greg coaching thats a bold statement to asume he not showing them or saying anything , are you in the dressing room between periods or before the game or even after my guess would be no. there is 2 kinds of coaching these days the yellers on the bench and the yellers in the dressing room and that is ken he dont on the bench. you see it in minor hockey the kids of today do not respond being yelled at on the bench like years ago. just the way it is. people seem to forget where this team was when ken took it over it was a mess and now it back to respectable and unfortunate regular season and you all over him. la never got on bobs case or wey on dwight they let them do what they do best coach and maybe us as fans should show the same respect for ken. so if ken does not come back after the season i hope to see all these bleacher coaches applying for the job since you think it so easy. it took bob about 6 yrs to turn the la situation around so i think we should give ken the same time frame to get it done. to quote Dano "thats my take"
I think the team, players,coaches and fans included, have to focus on the playoffs now and leave the negative stuff behind. Ken has to keep his team focused on hockey and only hockey. The boys need to stay away from the partying and the booze if they want to keep the season going considering what just happened with one of the rookies. Right now, the only foucs should be on playing hockey.
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