By Martin Martinson

North Stars deposit big win against Millionaires

Jan 12, 2019 | 10:30 PM

The Battlefords North Stars defeated the Melville Millionaires 5-2 Saturday night in Melville to mark the team’s second-straight win by a 5-2 score in as many nights.

After just a single-goal first period that saw the home side open the scoring on Millionaire defenseman Sam De Melo’s third of the year, it was all North Stars come the second.                      

Following a performance last night against Yorkton that saw the Stars score four unanswered in the second frame, the Stars all but replicated the feat Saturday, scoring three goals in the middle period, including two while shorthanded.

MacGregor Sinclair was the first to break through for the Battlefords, scoring his 16th of the season, with the Millionaires on the man-advantage just a minute into the second to tie the game 1-1.

Sinclair’s first of the night was followed up in short order by another shorthanded tally to flip the lead in the Stars’ favour, this time coming off the blade of leading goal scorer Owen Lamb. Serving as his 18th of the year, Lamb’s marker came off a sizzling backhander over the goaltender’s arm and in, neatly placed upon the top shelf of the net.

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Sinclair added to his collection with his second of the night and 17th of the year, not only bookending the scoring summary on the period but also giving the forward both a power play and shorthanded goal making, in itself, for a unique performance on the evening.

But for Sinclair, the evening was far from over.

Just a shade under nine minutes into the third period, Sinclair would once again light the lamp, capping off the hat trick with an even-strength goal for a diverse scoring repertoire within the raw numbers. With the goal, Sinclair also pulled even with Lamb for the team goal lead.

Also getting his hand in the action in the third, Elijah Loon-Stewardson scored to give the forward 10 goals on the year. Not only did the marker serve as an accent into double digits in goals for the forward on the year, but also officially doubled his previous career-high mark set last season.

Tristan Shewchuk would score late for the Millionaires with just two seconds and change remaining to make it 5-2, but ultimately, the goal had little bearing on the contest.

Stars’ goalie Joel Grzybowski made 23 stops on the 25 shots he faced on the night, backstopping his team to victory and remaining calm, cool and collected throughout.

With the win, the Battlefords now sit just three points back of Kindersley for the top spot in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division. Serendipitously, the black and silver hold a date with the Klippers Friday in the team’s return to action.

Fans can catch the divisional showdown Jan. 18 on 1050 CJNB beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

6:40 BAT Sam De Melo (3) ASST: James Philipot (2), Michael Boutoussov (1)

Second period:

1:00 BAT MacGregor Sinclair (16) ASST: None (SH)

8:21 BAT Owen Lamb (18) ASST: MacGregor Sinclair (28), Matthew Fletcher (12) (SH)

14:43 BAT MacGregor Sinclair (17) ASST: Cody Spagrud (21) Owen Lamb (14) (PP)

Third period:

8:59 BAT MacGregor Sinclair (18) ASST: Owen Lamb (15)

13:30 BAT Elijah Loon-Stewardson (10) ASST: Quintin Loon-Stewardson (9), Noah Form (4)

19:58 MLV Tristan Shewchuk (9) ASST: Aidan Steinke (12), Cory Schillo (13)

5-2 North Stars, Final

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1