The Weyburn Red Wings kept pace with the Battlefords North Stars throughout game two of their best-of-seven quarterfinal series. They weren’t able to get the equalizer late in the game though, running out of time with a one-goal deficit, as the Stars picked up a 6-5 win. With the victory, the North Stars now lead the series 2-0.

The antics of the North Stars on the ice, though, drew the ire of the Red Wings coaching staff. Wes Rudy pointed out after the game at least two incidents, which escaped the attention of the referees, which he said he would be forwarding to the league. They include a spear to Red Wings captain Mike Eskra near the end of the second period, and a kick to the chest of Wings rookie Jordan Kazymyra early in the third period, neither of which resulted in a penalty to the North Stars.

The North Stars did jump out to an early lead, with Garan Magnes scoring his first of the playoffs. The Wings were quick to respond, though, as Ty Brown notched his second of the postseason, assisted by Sean Olson. Before the first period could wrap up, though, MacGregor Sinclair restored the lead for the Red Wings.

Weyburn would come out firing in the second period, as the North Stars took two penalties back to back to start the middle frame. On the resulting 5-on-3 power play, Cade Kowalski made good with his third of the playoffs, assisted by Cole Woodliffe and Ben Hiltz. The Wings added another just 90 seconds later, as Woodliffe scored his first of the playoffs, assisted by Dexter Robinson and Landon Walters. The goal gave Weyburn it’s first lead of the series.

The North Stars rallied back, with Brad Girard tying the game back up at 3-3 less than two minutes after the Woodliffe goal. Layne Young would then notch a shorthanded goal, the second in as many games for the Battlefords, before the eight-minute mark of the second period.

The North Stars would add to the lead with two goals in 30 seconds to start off the third period, making it 6-3, and forcing the Wings to rally back. Jordan Kazymyra started the rally just 15 seconds after Chaseton Braid made it 6-3. Kazymyra’s goal, his first of the playoffs, made it 6-4. Walters and Jeremy Velazquez assisted.

Mike Eskra would then pull the Wings within one with 2:01 on the clock in the third with his second goal of the playoffs. Brown and Hiltz assisted on the power play marker. The Wings, though, would run out of time, as they pressured for the last two minutes with Arik Weersink on the bench in favour of the extra attacker.

The series now shifts to Weyburn for games three and four. They will be played Tuesday and Wednesday night. Game five, if necessary, will be back in the Battlefords on Friday.