The Battlefords North Stars are off to the National Championship.
They earned their spot in the Championship game Saturday night in convincing fashion, earning a 7-1 win over the host Portage Terriers.
Four goals in the opening 20 minutes guided the Stars to victory as Holden Doell scored twice, and Alex Izyk and Steven Kesslering also found the back of the net in the first.
#CentennialCup | Alex Isyk makes a nice move and snipes it off the pipe and in to give @SJHL_NorthStars a 1-0 lead 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Nk2I3dfWD7
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023
#CentennialCup | Steven Kesslering makes a nice move in tight on the powerplay and the @SJHL_NorthStars lead by two 🚨 pic.twitter.com/uUzR3GFh5M
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023
#CentennialCup | Holden Doell gets another for the @SJHL_NorthStars on this powerplay marker from distance and it’s 3-0 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XYiVMozS9D
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023
#CentennialCup | Holden Doell taps home the feed from Jake Southgate and the @SJHL_NorthStars have taken a 4-0 lead 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0nfHYsoSLh
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023
They would then add to their lead in the 2nd as Jake Southgate and Bradley Blake would tickle the twine, both on the power-play which was a big difference in the game. Battlefords finished the night 4/5 on the man advantage.
#CentennialCup | The @SJHL_NorthStars powerplay is clicking on all cylinders as Jake Southgate fires it to the back of the net 🚨 pic.twitter.com/fKkPjwl7nf
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023
Josh Kotai was rock solid in between the pipes for the Stars when called upon, making 30 saves in the win.
Now the stage is set for the Centennial Cup Final Sunday afternoon as the Battlefords North Stars take on the Brooks Bandits for the National Championship.
Puck drop for the Centennial Cup Final is at 2pm (Sask) and fans can tune in Live on TSN or follow along across the SJHL social media channels for live updates of Sunday’s Final.
Below are Post-Game Comments & Reaction from Battlefords North Stars Head Coach and General Manager Brayden Klimosko, forward Holden Doell, and Captain Jake Southgate who joined Dave Dawson post-game on the Hockey Canada broadcast.
Hear from @SJHL_NorthStars HC/GM Brayden Klimosko following their 7-1 win over the Portage Terriers in the Centennial Cup Semi-Finals. #SJHL pic.twitter.com/44kA5z7gFy
— SJHL (@theSJHL) May 21, 2023
Hear from @SJHL_NorthStars forward Holden Doell who had a a pair of goals in their 7-1 win over Portage. #SJHL pic.twitter.com/oatyE74KAc
— SJHL (@theSJHL) May 21, 2023
#CentennialCup | @HNLiveCA @DaveDawson7 catches up with @SJHL_NorthStars Captain, Jake Southgate following a big semifinal win over Portage. pic.twitter.com/aXuMJyuge1
— CJHL (@cjhlhockey) May 21, 2023