The weekend didn't start out well for the Battlefords North Stars, but they did win the second of two games in Flin Flon setting up a head-to-head Bauer Conference survivor series matchup in just over a week.
The Bombers started the scoring Friday night three minutes in when Andrew Johnston scored the game's first goal on the Bomber's first shot on an early powerplay.
The first period ended with P.J. Musico making 14 saves for Flin Flon and Graham Hildebrand blocking 11.
Johnston struck again early in the second, as he fired a shot by Hildebrand to go up 2-0.
Two powerplay goals, one by Tanner Korchinski and the other by Ryan Fox, gave Flin Flon a 4-0 lead heading in to the third period.
Tanner Clark completed the scoring for Flin Flon sliding the team's fifth goal by Hildebrand, who finished with 38 saves in the loss. Muciso stopped 33 shots in the win. Flin Flon were 3/4 on the powerplay while the North Stars were 0/5.
After falling to fifth place in the Bauer Conference, the North Stars jumped back into the fourth place with a 5-4 win Saturday.
The first period started with more intensity, in fact, Colin Phaneuf and Deven Stillar both received 10-minute misconducts before the opening faceoff.
The North Stars started the scoring when Cole Gibson netted 19th of the season from Blake Tatchell and Cris Neurauter.
Later in the period, the team's two heavy weights met and had a fight for the ages. There was some debate, as to who won the fight between Tony Oak and Ashton Bernard. One thing most people who either listened to the game or watched it online agreed on however, is that it will likely not be the last time the two square off.
Three minutes later, Mitch Galbraith was issued a checking from behind penalty and a game misconduct along with a fighting major, as he and Blair Cameron mixed it up.
Flin Flon tied the score later in the first period on a powerplay when Johnston beat Kyle Birch.
Later, Flin Flon took their first and only lead of the game when Stillar scored a powerplay maker.
Gibson responded with his eighth goal as a North Star and second of the game from Phanuef and Tatchell.
The North Stars continued their strong play and it was rookie Kyle Hall scoring his 21st of the season from Keith Grondin and Neurauter.
The North Stars increased their lead later in the second with a powerplay goal off the stick of Brody Luhning. Tatchell and Phaneuf assisted on the defenceman's 11th goal of the season.
Flin Flon's Johnston struck again and pulled his team to within a goal heading into the third period.
Flin Flon tied the game with another powerplay goal halfway through the third period. It was Johnston completing the hat trick and scoring his fifth goal of the weekend.
The North Stars responded quickly, as Oak capitalized on a shot in the slot for his sixth of the season, which held up to be the game-winning goal.
The North Stars hung on to win 5-4 and were in action Tuesday at home against the Bombers.
There appeared to be no love loss between the two teams especially following the Oak/Bernard fight. Other rough stuff occurred throughout the weekend and three goaltender interference penalties were taken Saturday night, two by Flin Flon.
The Bombers finished 6/11 on the powerplay in two games while the North Stars were 2/11.Birch earned his 14th win of the season after making 29 saves Saturday. Musico faced 51 shots Saturday in the loss.
Heading into Tuesday's game, the North Stars held a one-point lead over Flin Flon in the Bauer Conference standings and had one game in hand. The two teams now battle for home ice advantage in the survivor series.
The North Stars will head to Nipawin for a rescheduled game Wednesday. Friday, they host Kindersley. Tuesday, Feb. 22, the North Stars will complete their regular season schedule with a game in Kindersley.
