By Craig Stein
IDLE NORTH STARS CLINCH FINNING DIVISION
The Notre Dame Hounds’ top offensive players racked up the points as they went into Estevan and beat the Bruins 8-2 in one of three games on Wednesday night.
Ben Duperreault scored twice and added two assists, giving him 31-goals and a league-best 66-points on the season. Adam Dawe had five assists on the night, and now leads the league with 40 helpers. Chaz Smedsrud kept his hot streak going with a goal and three assists, while defenseman Nick Rein scored twice and added one assist. Jacob Arsenault (1g-1a), Colby Brandt and James Piller rounded out the scoring as the Hounds went 3/11 on the powerplay, and Benjamin Patt made 19/21 saves.
The Hounds (18-20-5-1) moved six points up on Melville for the final playoff spot.
Johnny Witzke and Lynnden Pastachak scored for the Bruins, who fall to 28-15-0-1 on the season.
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Without hitting the ice on Wednesday, the Battlefords North Stars clinched the Finning Division for the second year in a row, thanks to the Kindersley Klippers defeating the Humboldt Broncos 4-3.
It’s the sixth win in a row for the Klippers (22-23-1-0), who move into 7th place, and with the Broncos (25-20-0-1) still 24 points back of the North Stars with 12 games left, and the Stars winning the season series, they’ve wrapped up that division and will hold a top three position in the league playoffs.
Cole Plotnikoff scored twice for the Klippers on Wednesday, while Brody Ryberg and Carson Pickett added the others, and Nick Trenciansky made 29/32 saves.
Trevor Posch had two goals and an assist for the Broncos. Chris Van Os Shaw added his 33rd of the season with just five seconds remaining.
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The Flin Flon Bombers kicked off a four games in five nights road trip with a 5-1 victory in Melfort.
The Bombers (31-10-2-3) have now gone 11 games (10-0-1) without a regulation loss, and move six points up on Nipawin for the lead in the Sherwood.
Zac Robidoux turned away 25/26 shots to pick up the win. Jordan McCausland (1g-1a), Nick Shumlanski (1g-1a), Teal Sobkowicz (1g-1a), Cory Thomas and Tyler Nyman did the scoring.
Tyler Heidt picked up the lone goal for the Mustangs (19-21-2-4). Melfort has lost four in a row and remain tied with Yorkton for 8th place overall.
The Bombers continue their four game trip Thursday in Melville.
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