North Stars Hand Bombers First Regulation Loss

By Gary Moskalyk

Beau Helmeczi made an auspicious North Stars debut, scoring two third period goals as Thunder Bay defeated Sioux Lookout 3-2 before 482 fans at the Gardens.

The win gave the 4th place Stars their 5th win a row and sent the Bombers to their first regulation loss of the season.

Edison Weeks scored the lone first period goal. Easton Mikus’ centering feed was on the tape and Weeks fired in his 3rd of the season. Connor Burke countered for Sioux Lookout in the second frame. Ty Lone’s pass was perfect, and Burke notched his 7th through the pads of Keenan Marks at 7:01.

Burke struck for his second of the game at 1:14 of the third, taking Blake Burke’s pass and wristing one in glove side.

Helmeczi has not played for anyone this year. In the 2022-23 season with Port Alberni of the VIJHL, the Esterhazy, SK native had seven goals, 11 helpers and 60 penalty minutes with the Bombers, ironically enough. Helmeczi’s wrister beat Jack Osmond at 4:29 to tie the game on a Stars’ powerplay, and he grabbed a loose puck and rifled it past Osmond at 15:47 for the win.

Osmond had a terrific game in the Bomber net, stopping 55 of 58 shots. Thunder Bay opened with 26 first period shots.

The Bombers had an extra man for the final 1:35 but couldn’t register.

Marks stopped 24 of 26 for Thunder Bay, raising his record to 4-2-0 on the season. Osmond’s GAA is 2.00 and SV% .946 as he lost his first after five wins and an overtime loss.

Thunder Bay nullified Sioux Lookout’s two powerplay opportunities and clicked on one of three chances of their own. The Bombers took 13 of 21 penalty minutes.

Game two is Saturday. Game three is a 1:30 start on Sunday.