The Northstar Knights started the second half of the season the same way they started the first half, a sweep over CarShield AAA. The Knights traveled to St. Louis to secure a 5-1 and 5-2 win.
Saturday afternoon’s game got off to a rough but solid start, as the Knights were tasked with killing a five minute penalty early in the game. Northstar was successful on the kill, which eventually led to KJ Hjelm’s goal halfway through the first period. The lead was extended to 2-0 after Ben Strinden found Anthony Menghini on a shorthanded breakaway chance to close out the first. Kade Peterson and Menghini would score minutes apart in the second for a 4-0 lead, but CarShield would score shortly thereafter to make it 4-1. Jens Richards would finish out the scoring on the day with a powerplay goal at the end of the second for a 5-1 Knights victory. Strinden would finish with two assists on the day, and Peterson added an assit to go with his goal. Collin Soderholm played solid in net with 27 saves on 28 shots to secure the win.
Sunday’s second game had the Knights down late in the first, but an Anthony Menghini powerplay goal with 30 seconds to go in the period tied it up heading into the second. CarShield would again go up one on a shorthanded goal, but Jakob Stender would score late in the second to tie the score back up. The third period would be all Knights, as Ben Oakland, Truett Olson, and Zach Barros would score for a 5-2 win. Stender would add an assist with his goal, Barros added two assists, and Bryce Swalve would grab an assist as well.
The Knights are back in action this weekend for the NAPHL Showcase in Blaine. Saturday’s game against Shattuck St Mary’s AAA will be at 7 p.m., Sunday’s games against Colorado Springs and Arizona will be at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Monday’s final game against Florida will be at 8:15 a.m. All game s will be played at the Schwan Super Rink.