North Stars capture Canalta Cup with win over Mustangs

The Battlefords North Stars are Canalta Cup champions for the second time in three years after defeating the Melfort Mustangs 7-2 at the Civic Centre.

The Stars last won the SJHL league championship in 2017.

They took the series in five games thanks to two wins at home last weekend and a loss and victory in Melfort earlier this week.

Melfort’s Justin Ball broke the goose egg on the scoreboard just over five minutes into the first period. But almost exactly five minutes later, Braydon Buziak knocked one in on a power play to tie the game 1-1.

Quintin Loon-Stewardson and Buziak each notched goals later in the period to take a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Just 50 seconds into the second period, Macgregor Sinclair found the back of the net to edge the Stars ahead 4-1

The Mustangs answered back less than six minutes later to pull within two thanks to a power play goal from Tanner Zentner.

With under 1:30 remaining in the second, Quintin brought the crowd to their feet again to put the Stars up by three.

Two minutes into the third, Austin Shumanski pushed the puck past the Melfort netminder to launch the Battlefords ahead 6-2.

An empty netter in the third from Sinclair sealed the game for the Battlefords 7-2.

The Stars will move on to play for the Anavet Cup against either Manitoba’s Swan Valley Stampeders or Portage Terriers. The series is tied at 3-3.

cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW