The Norman Northstars had an impressive showing down south against the Pembina Valley Hawks and Winnipeg Thrashers, but are still in search of their first win of the season.

 

The Northstars had leads in the third period both Saturday against the Hawks and Sunday against the Thrashers, but couldn’t hold on to either lead.

 

On Friday night, Pembina got out to a 3-0 lead to seal the game, which ended as a 5-2 win for the Hawks. Jamie Valentino scored the first Northstars goal in the second period, and Hunter Rambow added a short-handed goal in the third.

 

The NorMan squad was night-and-day from Friday to Saturday, as they had a 3-1 lead after one (thanks to goals from Jon Tagoona, Henry Muchikekwanape and Sheldin Howard) and a 5-2 lead after two frames. Mitchell Reid and Lance Bobesko scored for the Northstars in the middle period. Pembina came roaring back in the third, however, scoring their third goal less than 30 seconds in, followed by three in the final ten minutes. The final tally from Saturday was 6-5 in favour of the Hawks.

 

Sunday saw the Northstars play a relatively uneventful game against the Winnipeg Thrashers, with only one penalty called on both teams during regulation. The Thrashers had a 1-0 lead going into the second period, and a 2-1 lead going into the third. Goals from Muchikekwanape and captain Albert Berard within the first 10 minutes of the final frame had the NorMan squad poised to pick up their first “W” of the season, before Winnipeg answered back with two goals in four minutes. The Thrashers would skate away with a 4-3 victory.  

 

Henry Muchikekwanape currently leads the Northstars with 14 points (6G, 8A), while Mitchell Reid leads the squad with 9 goals.

 

The Northstars will face off against the Southwest Cougars for a pair of games this coming weekend. Both games (Friday and Saturday) will be played at the C.A. Nesbitt Arena starting at 7:30.

 

The Friday night affair can be heard live on 102.9 CHTM and thompsononline.ca.