By Craig Stein
In a 50-60 regular season game Junior ‘A’ schedule, 30 wins is an average to above-average season for most teams. The Battlefords North Stars just hit that plateau before Christmas.
The Stars won their 30th game of the year, and third in as many nights, with a 5-1 victory in Melville on Sunday night, the SJHL’s final game before a 12 day holiday hiatus.
Coby Downs picked up four assists on Sunday, and now has 41 (15g-26a) points in just 26 games since returning to the Stars. Layne Young had a goal and two assists to maintain the team lead with 44 points, while Troy Gerein, Levi Kleiboer and Ben Allen all added first period goals as the Stars built a 4-0 lead through 20 minutes.
Taryn Kotchorek made 32/33 saves as the Stars improved to 30-7-0-0 on the year.
Mathieu Jallabert had the only goal for the Millionaires (14-17-2-0).
Melville is out of a playoff position at the Christmas break, but they’re just three points back of 10th place Kindersley and have five games in hand. The Millionaires will visit Yorkton December 30th when they start off their annual New Years home and home with the Terriers.
The North Stars have a 19 point lead in the Finning Division and an 11 point cushion atop the overall standings. They have a 17 day break now – they’re off until Friday, January 6th when they hit the road again, starting a three game road trip in Estevan.
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