The Battlefords North Stars continued their busy November schedule in Melfort Wednesday and held on for a 3-2 win.
It appears Kyle Birch is back to his old self - last season's playoff MVP and one of the elite goalies in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Birch out dueled Charles Corsi, the league's best goalie, to pick up his third win of the season, making 36 saves.
Kyle Threndyle scored the game's first goal putting Melfort in the lead seven minutes into the first period.
Three minutes later, Cody Foldstad scored on a beautiful pass from Blake Tatchell while Tony Oak picked up the second assist. The goal was not a powerplay tally, but was scored two seconds after a Melfort penalty expired. The goal was Folstad's fourth of the season.
Later in the first, on a powerplay, Keith Grondin was credited with his 15th of the season from Tatchell and Chris Neurauter.
The first ended 2-1.
In the second, the North Stars used another powerplay to score on Corsi. This time, Grondin scored from Tatchell and Woody Klassen.
Minutes later, Robbie Newton dropped the gloves with Tyler Borstmayer, but that seemed to give the Mustangs a spark. Melfort scored two minutes later when Jesse Mireau beat Birch.
The Stars held on for the remainder of the second and the third period and Birch made 23 saves in the final two periods for the win. The victory marks the second time in five games the Stars have beat the Mustangs, who sit 10 points ahead of the Battlefords and in third place in the Bauer Conference.
Melfort were 0/3 on the powerplay while the North Stars were 2/6.
Tatchell's three-point night moved him up to a tie for seventh in the league with 31 points and Grondin's two goals put him fourth in the SJHL in that stat category.
The North Stars were looking for their third straight win Thursday, as they played Estevan at home. The North Stars have lost twice in Estevan this season.
The Battlefords continue with home action Saturday against Weyburn, Sunday versus Flin Flon and Tuesday against Humboldt before preparing for seven straight games on the road.
