It was another weekend of Battlefords North Stars action, but the team was left searching for their first win of the 2010-11 season.
Friday night, the Weyburn Red Wings were at the Civic Centre and frustrated the North Stars' coaches, fans and players after a 7-1 thumping.
Weyburn had chances early and often, as they hit the post a minute into the game and again two minutes later on a five-on-three powerplay.
Near the halfway point of the first period, Weyburn capitalized on a scramble and took the lead. The North Stars recorded their first shot of the game with 5:37 left in the first period and trailed 1-0 and 13-3 in shots after 20 minutes.
Thirty-eight seconds into the second period Weyburn scored on the powerplay to go up 2-0. Cody Folstad looked to spark the North Stars the next shift as he nailed a Weyburn player off the faceoff at centre ice then fought Lucas Ulmer in front of the North Stars' net.
Minutes later, Josh Daley was in a wrestling match after a scrum around the Weyburn net, but it didn't appear too many North Stars were willing to put in the effort needed to compete Friday night. Weyburn capitalized once again on another powerplay after a point shot snuck through Kyle Birch and fell in near the crease for an empty net tap in.
The North Stars made some changes in the line combinations, but that didn't change their luck, as Birch was forced to make two big saves to keep it a three-goal game. That score didn't last much longer, as Weyburn scored their third powerplay goal. The puck was redirected through Birch's legs.
The frustration started to show for the North Stars as one coach was ejected and one player fired his stick against the boards and the fans showed their displeasure with the officials.
Fortunately the North Stars were the next team to score. Daley fired a shot off the rush that hit Ryley Hengen, Weyburn's goalie, and fell on the stick of Calder Neufeld for a tap in. Woody Klassen also had an assist on the play.
As the second period ended, two players squared off for a fight, and in his first game in a North Stars' uniform, Brody Luhning held his own against Kyle Vogel.
The North Stars didn't start the third with much jump and gave up three more goals, one a powerplay marker and the final was 7-1. Weburn were 4/11 on the powerplay while the Battlefords were 0/4.
The next night, the North Stars hoped to refocus and ruin the party in Kindersley. The Klippers were playing their first game in the Kindersley arena since the fire last season and they didn't disappoint their home fans.
Kindersley scored on a powerplay early and from there, never looked back. They scored later in the first and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Battlefords' goal scorer was Blake Tatchell picking up his third of the season from Colin Phaneuf and Calder Neufeld.
Kindersley scored two more powerplay goals in the second including one with a second left in the period. Tony Oak tried to ignite his team in the second with a fight against Sanfred King, but to no avail as the North Stars couldn't find the back of the net.
Early in the third, Nathan Tomac scored from Folstad making it a 4-2 game, but two late powerplay goals sealed the deal for the Klippers and they went on to a 6-2 victory.
Alex Sirard was in net for the Battlefords and made 41 saves in the loss. The Klippers were 5/9 on the powerplay and the North Stars ended the weekend after allowing nine powerplay goals on 20 attempts.
The penalty kill will surely be something the coaching staff will address this week as the 0-4-1-1 North Stars were back in action Tuesday at home against Melfort. The North Stars host La Ronge Friday then go on the road for five straight starting Tuesday.
One other note is that Friday night, the North Stars presented Zach MacLellan with the September Player of the Month Award. MacLellan had two goals and four assists in four games.
