Everything you need to know about North Stars vs. Bombers
As expected, the Battlefords North Stars defeated the Kindersley Klippers rather easily in the opening round of their 2016 Canalta Cup playoffs. Despite battling injuries to key players and a flu bug running rampant through the dressing room, the North Stars were able to dispatch the Klippers in five games.
While some fans may not have been surprised to see the Flin Flon Bombers “upset” the Weyburn Red Wings in the opening round, it’s the way they did it that raised my eyebrow.
In game one, starting goaltender Zac Robidoux gave up three goals on just 16 shots and was lifted in favour of rookie goalie Brenden Newton. While Newton was no slouch this season as he was named to the SJHL’s All-Rookie team, it was surprising to see him start the next four games, especially considering Robidoux is a national champion, winning the RBC Cup with the Portage Terriers last season.
Clearly it worked, as Newton shut the proverbial door on the Red Wings by posting a staggering .964 save percentage in the four and a half games he played, as the Bombers defeated the Red Wings in five games after dropping game one. Newton surrended just six goals over the course of the series.