By Nathan Kanter

Lack of discipline continues to plague Stars

Jan 23, 2017 | 4:00 PM

The AAA Stars are losing games at the wrong time of the year.

After falling to the Beardy’s Blackhawks on Sunday evening 7-4, it’s now five straight losses for Battlefords, who have gone from eighth place to eleventh in one week’s time.

Undisciplined play continues to plague the Stars, as the Blackhawks notched six power play goals on Sunday on 14 attempts.

“Another example of why we need to stay out of the box,” Stars head coach Jean Fauchon said on Monday. “There were a few that I felt weren’t necessarily penalties…but again, it’s just working maybe a little bit harder and doing things a little bit quicker not to put ourselves in situations where it’s going to be perceived that we are taking penalties.”

Beardy’s outshot Battlefords 44-34 as well.

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There are still 11 games remaining in the regular season but the Stars will have to jump at least two teams if they are going to be on the right side of the cut-off line for the playoffs.

Just seven points separate the six teams from sixth place to eleventh, which includes Tisdale, Yorkton, Swift Current, the Blazers, Beardy’s and Battlefords.

“We’re at the point now where just about every game here is going to be a must-win game,” Fauchon said. “We have to start taking our destiny into our own hands and start winning because these other teams that we are battling with are finding ways to win.

“We’ve got to start winning some games here if we want to work our way back up into that playoff spot.”

The loss on Sunday wasn’t all bad, however, as the Stars got to be involved in the tail end of Cameco Hockey Day in Saskatchewan’s week-long celebration.

The game between Beardy’s and Battlefords was played up in Pinehouse, over 400 km North of the Battlefords.

The small community hosted the Battlefords North Stars for a neutral zone game earlier in the SJHL season and this weekend had the opportunity to be a co-host for Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

Fauchon said it was a positive experience for him and the players.

“The community was very welcoming and everything was set up and ready for us,” he said. “They gave us a good meal after and the kids were all coming around and asking players for autographs so it was a good experience for everybody. I think they did a very good job of hosting.”

Seven-time Stanley Cup champion Bryan Trottier was on hand as well, and spoke to the Stars before they hit the ice.

“He just talked to them about what it takes to be successful,” Fauchon said. “Just keep it simple and work hard and continue to do the things that you do well and just keep practicing hard is basically what his message was. You’ve just got to keep going no matter what gets thrown at you.”

The Stars are home to the Notre Dame Argos for back-to-back games this weekend.

With just three wins this season for the Argos, stealing four points is clearly an absolute must for the Stars.

Both the Saturday and Sunday games are scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Nathan Kanter is battlefordsNOW’s sports reporter and voice of the Battlefords North Stars. He can be reached at Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca or tweet him @NathanKanter11