The Battlefords North Stars and Flin Flon Bombers bounced back in strong fashion after opening-game losses in their SJHL semifinal series.
In Yorkton, Finlay Klippenstein scored twice in the third period, leading the North Stars to a three-goal final frame and a 3–1 victory over the Yorkton Terriers, evening the best-of-seven series at 1–1.
Josh Knittig added to his league-leading playoff point total with a goal and two assists, now sitting at 15 points through his first seven postseason games. His goal was also Battlefords’ third short-handed marker of the playoffs and their 19th combined short-handed goal across the regular season and postseason.
Jye Zawatsky opened the scoring for Yorkton, giving the Terriers a 1–0 lead on the power play at 9:41 of the first period.
After Kaeden Serpa got the start for the North Stars, it was Spencer Michnik who earned the decision in Game 2, turning aside 26 of 27 shots in the win.
Terriers goaltender Callum Creig saw his record fall to 5–3 in the postseason after allowing two goals on 28 shots.
The series now shifts to North Battleford for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, at the Whitney Forum, one night after suffering their first regulation loss on home ice all season in Game 1, the Bombers responded with a 6–2 win over the Weyburn Red Wings in Game 2.
Connor Miller led the way with two goals and an assist, while Leo Seitz, Ryder Knutson, Rhett Ewen, and Hudson Brehaut each added singles.
Callas Pierce scored for the second straight night for Weyburn, while Turner McIntyre had the other.
Charlie Tritt, the SJHL Goaltender of the Year, made 22 saves in the win for Flin Flon. On the other side, Joey Rocha, coming off a 37-save shutout in Game 1, allowed five goals on 30 shots.
Games 3 and 4 of that series are set for the Whitecap Resources Centre in Weyburn on Tuesday and Wednesday.
