North Stars win fifth straight

Hello everyone,

I has been a long time since I have updated my blog and I apologized, but here are some photos from the North Stars game Tuesday night, as they beat Flin Flon 2-1 and reeled off their fifth straight win.

Things are coming together. It really looks the like the younger players on the team are comfortable and accepting their roles and key players on the team and everyone is buying into coach Kevin Hasselberg’s system.

Austin Evans helps the 7th man (woman) with her helmet after O Canada.

Luke McColgan with a body check in the first period.

Moving up the wall with the puck.

Keenan Martens chases Flin Flon’s Spencer Mault in the North Stars’ zone.

Josh Betinol looks to pass to Jake McMillen on the North Stars’ first goal.

Jake McMillen beats Devin Buffalo glove side to make it 1-0.

Brandon Long looks to make a pass in the first period.

Kyle Hall in the Flin Flon zone.

Braeden Johnson looks to make a pass on the power play in the first period.

Blake Young flies into the Bombers’ zone.

Jake McMillen delivers a body check.

Brody Luhning moves the puck, as played forward in the first period on a line with Hall and Johnson.

Braeden Johnson with a drop pass.

Austin Evans protecting the puck.

Jake McMillen finding some open ice.

The North Stars attempted to block a shot by Flin Flon’s Brandt Weldon.

Devin Buffalo robs Ben Greenaway with pad save, his best of the game, late in the second period.

Connor Creech turns away Dylan Balaski on a partial breakaway in the second period.

Brody Luhning rushes the puck.

Ryne Keller used his speed in the third period and set up the game-winning goal from this spot. Keller did the same thing the next shift, but the North Stars’ came within inches of scoring an insurance goal.

Dillon Forbes dekes to his backhand in the slot and scores the game-winning goal.

North Stars’ celebrate Forbes’ first goal of the season.

THe North Stars look for an insurance goal with Devin Buffalo out of position, but they couldn’t capitalize.

Dillon Forbes with a strong defensive effort against Flin Flon’s Dylan Balaski.

Blake Young protects the puck in the third period.

The Battlefords North Stars tried to eat up time in the final minute of the game, as they pinned the puck in Flin Flon’s zone for nearly 15 seconds.

Connor Creech makes his final save of the game to preserve the 2-1 win.

North Stars celebrate their fifth straight win.

A salute to the large crowd of North Stars supporters Tuesday at the Civic Centre.

After the game in an interview with Connor Creech he commending the team play in front of him and talked about the team moral after a five-game winning streak and spoke about the game winning goal: ‘That is the Dillon Forbes specialty. He has some touch.”

Battlefords North Stars versus Melville

The Battlefords North Stars may want to and likely have already forgotten about the 10-4 loss to Melville Saturday night, but here are some pictures from the game at the Civic Centre.

Head coach Kevin Hasselberg in a discussion with the officials Saturday.

Kyle Schmidt makes a pass in the neutral zone.

North Stars around their net before the anthem is played.

Governor Stew Demmans presents former North Stars trainer/equipment manager Dale Jackson with a sign jersey for his eight years of service with the team before the game.

North Stars celebrate one of their two first period goals.

Dillon Forbes with a body check in the third period.

Roger Tagoona tries to skate away from a defender.

Kyle Hall streaks down the right win in the second period.

Jake McMillen drives towards the Melville net.

McMillen again looking to shoot in the second period.

Braeden Johnson on the attack.

Casey Parker replaced Connor Creech in the second period and made his NOrth Stars’ debut. Unfortunately he surrendered fie goals and Creech came back into the game in the third period.

A scramble along the boards in the third period.

Braeden Johnson with a shot on Melville’s Troy Trombley.

Some rough stuff.

Connor Creech stretches infront of the North Stars’ bench before he re-enters the game.

Head coach Kevin Hasselberg in a discussion with the officials Saturday.

Kyle Schmidt makes a pass in the neutral zone.

North Stars around their net before the anthem is played.

Governor Stew Demmans presents former North Stars trainer/equipment manager Dale Jackson with a sign jersey for his eight years of service with the team before the game.

North Stars celebrate one of their two first period goals.

Dillon Forbes with a body check in the third period.

Roger Tagoona tries to skate away from a defender.

Kyle Hall streaks down the right win in the second period.

Jake McMillen drives towards the Melville net.

McMillen again looking to shoot in the second period.

Braeden Johnson on the attack.

Casey Parker replaced Connor Creech in the second period and made his NOrth Stars’ debut. Unfortunately he surrendered fie goals and Creech came back into the game in the third period.

A scramble along the boards in the third period.

Braeden Johnson with a shot on Melville’s Troy Trombley.

Some rough stuff.

Connor Creech stretches infront of the North Stars’ bench before he re-enters the game.

Also the North Stars practice today with out three players: Casey Parker, Josh Betinol and Spencer Gosslein, as they were in Humboldt for the second day of the SJHL’s Team West evaluation camp. The players were competing for a roster spot on the Team West, which will compete in Nova Scotia in November in the World Junior A Challenge.

Coach Kevin Hasselberg was also in Humboldt scouting and assisting with evaluations.

An injury update – Ben Greenaway skated shortly by himself after practice and said that he is likely a week or two away from playing after a leg injury he suffered in pre-season.

BNS weekend wrap

I haven’t had time to get a blog post on the weekend written, but here is the link to the story I wrote for the Wednesday newspaper and the New–Optimist website.

I will post some photos shortly as well.

http://www.newsoptimist.ca/article/20121002/BATTLEFORD0201/310019995/-1/battleford/north-stars-bounced-back-saturday-to-split-weekend

Opening weekend split

The Battlefords North Stars appeared as two different teams on the opening weekend of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season.

The North Stars started the season in Kindersley Friday. In total, the Battlefords played maybe a good 15 minutes of the game. The North Stars appeared a bit nervous and sluggish in the first period in Kindersley.

They showed some signs of life in the second period and played their best in part of the third period, but it wasn’t enough. Kindersley led 1-0 going into the third period and held on for the 2-1 win.

The next night, was the North Stars home opener and it was another story. After having a barbecue before the game, the more than 900 fans witnessed a much better performance from the North Stars at the Civic Centre.

The home team outplayed Kindersley and skated to a 4-1 win.

Brody Luhning had four points Saturday night and is likely in line for some weekly SJHL honorable mentions for his effort.

In net, Connor Creech played both games and despite going 1-1 on the weekend he was arguably the teams best player both nights.

Roger Tagoona has notched a goal and a assist in his first two games.

Blake Young earned an assist in each of the two games on the weekend as well.

Here are some photos from the action in Kindersley. (The pictures were taken through the glass or mess that surrounds the entire Kindersley ice surface).

Goaltender Connor Creech allowed just three goals in 120 minutes on the weekend.

Evan Ripley fights in Kindersley and drew 17 minutes of penalties, but the North Stars were able to kill off the five-minute power play.

Roger Tagoona, the lone North Star goal scorer in Kindersley moves the puck along the boards.

Brandon Long, who scored Satruday in North Battleford, tries to track down and Kindersley player.

Connor Creech and Brody Luhning were perhaps the two best North Stars on the weekend.

Kindersley’s Warren Shymko was good in net and did a good job on this shot finding the puck through a Kyle Hall screen.

The Battleford North Stars celebrate their first goal of the 2012-13 during the third period in Kindersley which made it a 1-1 hockey game.

The game-winning goal beat Connor Creech glove side in the third period in Kindersley Friday night.

North Stars release opening day roster

Wednesday, 26 players were introduced to the billets and sponsors at the kick off breakfast and one more was scheduled to arrive later that day, as Kyle Schmidt was reassigned from the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades to the North Stars.

Those at the breakfast included returning netminder Connor Creech, a 1992-born goalie from Lloydminster while the other goalies on the roster include Michael Gudmanson a 1993-born goalie from Sherwood Park, Alta. and Casey Parker, a 1995-born goalie from Regina, who hasn’t played a game yet, as he is recovering from a concussion.

Returning on defence is 1992-born Brody Luhning from Lumsden and Grayden Turner of Saskatoon, and 1993-born Dillon Forbes from Battleford and Matt Sheeran of Victoria, B.C. The new defenceman include 1992-born Evan Ripley of Kitimat, B.C., 1994-born Cody Bird of Wainwright, Alta. and Spencer Gosselin of Wainwright, Alta.

Returning forwards include 1992-born Kyle Hall of Assiniboia, Braeden Johnson of Saskatoon and Roger Tagoona of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, 1993-born Tanner Quinn of Winnipeg, Man. and Robbie Newton of Saskatoon and 1994-born Ryne Keller of Wilkie.

The list of new forwards include 1993-born Brandon Long of Calgary, Alta., Ben Greenaway of West Kelowna, B.C., 1994-born Blake Young of Battleford, Carter Danczak of the Battlefords, Austin Evans of Whistler, B.C., Josh Betinol of Okotoks, Alta., Nick Fountain of Wainwright, Alta., Bryden Serafini of Cut Knife and Luke McColgan of Manhattan Beach, Calif. The lone 1995-born forward on the roster is Jake McMillen of Carievale.

“We have a lot of quality and character young men here today who are going to represent our program moving forward and we are excited to introduce them,” said head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg.

The North Stars also could have on the roster 1994-born defenceman Connor Sutton, whose junior A rights were acquired by the North Stars in a trade this summer. Sutton is still playing pre-season hockey games in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Photos from Saturday night

In the final home pre-season game of the season, the Battlefords North Stars hosted a beat the Humboldt Broncos. Here are some photos from the game which the North Stars won 7-3. The North Stars lost in Humboldt the next night a ended the regular season 2-3. The North Stars were 2-0 at home and 0-3 on the road during their five exhibition games.

Robbie Newton played on a line Saturday with veterans Ryne Keller and Tanner Quinn.

Local product Carter Danczak, who picked up an assist in the game Saturday.

Goaltender Connor Creech waits in his crease while the lights power back up in the first period at the Civic Centre. There was about a 10 minute delay due to a power outage Saturday.

The Battlefords North Stars celebrate one of their seven goals against the Broncos.

Not mentioned in he list of players still at the camp was 1994-born forward Luke McColgan.

Defenceman Matt Sheeran makes a in the second period.

Ryne Keller circles behind the Humboldt net in the second period.

Kyler Wilklinson in a footrace for a loose puck in the North Stars’ zone.

Kyler Wilkinson and Connor Creech watch the play in the second period.

Goaltender Michael Gudmandson looks through traffic as Zak Kindya and Scott McCluskey patrol the front of the net.

Matt Sheeran moves to the middle of the ice a second before scoring on a point shot on the power play.

The Battlefords North Stars opening day roster will be announced Wednesday at the Civic Centre during the annual kickoff breakfast from 7 to 8:15 a.m.

Who is still in camp?

The North Stars reduced their roster after the weekend’s exhibition games and remaining with the team are four goalies, nine defenceman and 18 forwards. Unfortunately, of the players who were cut, a handful were locals and former Midget Stars in Brody Tatchell, Reece Fenrich, Jordaan Braun, Eric Pfiefer and Blair Mahon.

The players reported to be still with the team include:

Defencemen:

Grayden Turner (92-Saskatoon)

*Brody Luhning (92-Lumsden)

Evan Ripley (92-Kitimat, B.C.)

Zak Kindya (93-Pittsburgh, Pa)

*Dillon Forbes (93-Battleford)

*Matt Sheeran (93-Victoria, B.C.)

Cody Bird (94-Wainwright Alta.)

Kyler Wilkinson (94-Prince George, B.C.)

Spencer Gosselin (94-Lloydminster, Alta.)

Goalies

*Connor Creech (92-Lloydminster, Alta.)

Michael Gudmanson (93-Sherwood Park, Alta.)

Damian McKinnon (94-Hardisty, Alta.)

Casey Parker (95-Regina)

Forwards

*Kyle Hall (92-Assiniboia)

*Roger Tagoona (92-Rankin Inlet, Nu.)

*Braeden Johnson (92-Saskatoon)

*Tanner Quinn (93-Winnipeg, Man.)

*Robbie Newton (93-Saskatoon)

Ben Greenaway (93-West Kelowna, B.C.)

Brandon Long (93-Calgary, Alta.)

Kyle Litchenwald (93-Canmore, Alta.)

Scott McCluskey (93-Lloydminster)

*Ryne Keller (94-Wilkie)

Blake Young (94-Battlefords)

Carter Danczak (94-North Battleford)

Austin Evans (94-Whistler, B.C.)

Josh Betinol (94-Okotoks, Alta.)

Nick Fountain (94-Wainwright, Alta.)

Bryden Serafini (94-Baldwinton)

Dylan Sakatch (95-Calgary, Alta.)

Jake McMillen (95-Carievale)

*Returning from 2011-12 roster

Battlefords North Stars vs. Melfort

Today was busy at work so there isn’t a post from the weekend’s exhibition action, but here are some photos from Saturday’s game versus Melfort at the Civic Centre in North Battleford, which the North Stars won 6-3.

The North Stars starting lineup of Cody Bird, Zak Kindya, Nick Fountain, Linden Horswill and Ben Greenaway.

A Melfort forward moves in on Connor Creech’s net.

Kyler Wilkinson picks himself up behind the North Stars net after a collision with former North Star Jake Daughtry.

Nick Fountain tries a wrap around.

North Stars moved the puck out of their defensive zone.

Kyler Wilkinson takes the puck in the third period.

Battlefords North Stars goalie Blair Mahon makes a difficult save.

Some rough stuff after the final buzzer.

Mini intrasquad/scrimmage tonight for North Stars

With 38 players still in camp and the players separated into two groups for practices earlier this week, the North Stars coaching staff has decided to hold a 1.5 hour game with the players remaining in camp. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the North Battleford Civic Centre.

Few cuts made after North Stars’ camp

The Battlefords North Stars held their spring camp on the weekend and after fitness tests, practices, two scrimmages and an exhibition game against the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL, the North Stars have 38 players remaining.

On the one hand, 38 potential players means there is a lot of talent out there and coach Kevin Hasselberg and his staff want to give all the deserving players the best opportunity to play with the North Stars.

On the other hand, players are split into two teams for practices this week and at this point their may be as many question marks as there are answer regarding the team’s roster.

Time will tell what the roster will look like, but the understanding is that many players impressed on the weekend only about 10 players were sent home after the camp.

Some returning players came into camp in extremely great shape (Dillon Forbes) and provided great leadership and examples of what coach Hasselberg’s expectations are. Two veterans, Brody Luhning and Connor Creech were not at camp, but they are expected to be with the team in the coming days.

The next official cuts for the North Stars’ roster will likely come after the weekend’s home-and-home set with Melfort.

Along with the action on the ice, there was some sad news out of the North Stars’ camp Friday morning. One prospect who was one his way from Turtle Lake to camp was killed in a motor vehicle accident. The 18-year-old’s name was not released, but condolences go out to the young man’s family and the Battlefords North Star players who were former teammates of the man in the accident.

I hope to talk to Kevin Hasselberg later in the week, as he was busy registering players for school Tuesday and running two practices so I will have more feed back on the camp later this week.

This is the roster posted at the rink Sunday morning for the game later that day in Wainwright, Alta. against Lloydminster.

1996

Kendall Fransoo

1995

Jake McMillen

1994

Cody Bird

Patrick Croome

Kyler Wilkinson

Spencer Gosselin

Reece Fenrich

Scott McCluskey

Nick Fountain

Ben Greenaway

Josh Betinol

Blake Young

Bryden Serafini

Dylan Sakatch

Jordaan Braun

Carter Danczak

Blair Mahon

1993

Michael Gudmanson

Dallas McIntosh

Craig Fournier