By Craig Stein
Quinton Loon-Stewardson’s 7th goal of the season came 1:59 into overtime on Sunday, and the Battlefords North Stars edged the Nipawin Hawks 2-1 (OT) to take two points into their Christmas break.
In five December games, the North Stars (19-9-2-4) went 3-1-1, out-scoring their opponent 9-8 as they were all low-scoring games, much like Sunday. Braydon Buziak’s 10th of the season forced overtime, and Chad Duran made 27/28 saves in the win.
The Stars are still third in the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division, one point back of Humboldt but with three games in hand. They’re four points shy of Kindersley for the division lead, even in games played, and have a home-and-home with the Klippers coming out the Christmas break December 28th & 29th.
Patrick Pugliese made 39/41 saves for the Hawks (24-9-1-1) and Josh Lester opened the scoring for them early in the second period. Nipawin moves two points up on Melfort for the Sherwood lead with the single point. They’ll face the Mustangs in a home and home right before Christmas starting this Friday, and then again after the break in early January.
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The Kindersley Klippers picked up a Saturday/Sunday sweep of the Flin Flon Bombers this weekend, capped off with a 3-1 decision Sunday afternoon.
The Klippers (22-8-2-2) head into their break with points in nine straight games (8-0-1) and top spot in their division.
Clay Keeley and Caden Benson put Kindersley up 2-0 early in the game, and Liam Fraser gave them some third period insurance. Zach Johnson was excellent, making 31/32 saves.
Shayde Peterson, a ‘AAA’ Midget call-up from the Battlefords ‘AAA’ Stars, scored in his first SJHL game for the Bombers (19-11-0-2). Jacob Delorme made 29/32 saves.
All but four teams are now officially on their holiday breaks. Yorkton will head to Estevan on Tuesday, while Melfort and Nipawin have a home-and-home Friday and Saturday. The Hawks and Mustangs still get two full weeks off, as they don’t resume play again until January 4th.
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