By Roger White

North Stars move up the national rankings

Oct 24, 2017 | 10:00 AM

On the strength of back to back wins over the weekend, the Battlefords North Stars have inched closer to becoming the top ranked Junior ‘A’ Hockey club in Canada.

The North Stars began last week in third spot in the top 20 Canadian Junior ‘A’ Hockey League rankings, but a 3-2 overtime win over the Melfort Mustangs on Friday night followed by a 5-2 win on Saturday over the Flin Bombers has vaulted the Stars to number two in the nation.

The North Stars whose record is 8-0-0-1 are the only team in the SJHL to remain unbeaten in regulation time. They are ranked behind the Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Junior Hockey League who boast a perfect 9-0-0-0 record this season.

In 2016-17 season, the North Stars finished the CHL ranking fifth overall following a record year which saw them win 48 of 58 games and sweep their way through the playoffs to the Canalta Cup championship.

Two other teams from the SJHL join the North Stars in the CHL top 20 rankings. The Melfort Mustangs dropped six positions to the number 17 spot this week, while the Weyburn Red Wings, who are currently second in the Viterra Division, make their first appearance in the top 20 this year reaching number 18.

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The CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the team plays in, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated and goals for versus goals against ratio. The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of all ten Junior A Hockey Leagues in Canada and represents 132 teams and more than 3,000 players.

The North Stars face the Yorkton Terriers at the Battlefords Civic Centre on Friday and Saturday night. Puck drop each evening is 7:30 p.m.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter