North Stars ready for release of Hounds

Matthias Urbanski has a perfect two point per game average over his last six, raking up 12 over the span, while MacGregor Sinclair is right alongside with 11 points through his last six.

On the second line, Braydon Buziak flanked by Elijah Loon-Stewardson and Owen Lamb have been a force from the hash marks down, playing the cycle game to wear down the opposition defence.

Austin Becker, Brett Gammer and Regan Doig seem to have solidified themselves as the third unit, at least for the foreseeable future, bringing a good compliment to one another.

“I think what makes us a great line is that we all do our work,” Gammer said. “We’re all not afraid to get down low and win the puck in those battles against the boards and get it up top [to the point] or cycle it down [the boards] and just crash the net. I think we all have a pretty good vision of the ice as well. We can make plays and we’re pretty positive guys too, so it’s nice to get to play with them.”

Kaden Boser, who was in the lineup last game but missed most of the contest due to his fight not even six minutes into the first, will be back to anchor the fourth line once again, looking to continue his rough and tumble take no prisoners style. Boser will skate between Dylan Esau and Quintin Loon-Stewardson who each draw back into the lineup this evening.

On the backend, the North Stars will receive a huge boost as defenseman Matthew Fletcher is expected to return to the lineup, pairing up alongside Seth Summers with whom he’s very familiar. Much like Boser, Summers is coming off a scrap in his last game that saw his bout contribute to an added spark amongst his team’s bench late in the second period.

Fletcher and Summers together solidify the Stars’ top four this evening just behind the ever-reliable Spagrud-Scott duo.

Cody Spagrud is coming off a performance that saw the veteran defender pot his third goal of the season. With 12 points through his first 14 games, Spagrud has proven himself to be not only amongst the very best in the SJHL at defending but at creating offence for his team from the blue line position. Whether launching crisp stretch passes to offensively inclined forwards, or jumping into the play, and sometimes even leading the rush; the Gull Lake product has been a handful for opposing teams. Spagrud’s 12 points are fifth best league-wide amongst defensemen.

The 20-year-old is joined by Tanner Scott, who was acquired in late September and appears to have carved a real niche for himself opposite the Stars’ captain.

Austin Shumanski and Ryan Graville round out the defence for tonight’s game, with the ever intimidating Shumanski, bringing the zing to the agile Granville’s zang. Together they provide the Stars with another option to match up against the visitor’s firepower.

Netminder Joel Grzybowski is expected to get the start tonight for the North Stars. Proving himself to be amongst the elite between the pipes, Grzybowski will enter play coming off a 4-0 shutout over La Ronge Oct. 17, boasting a sparkling .923sv% on the year.

Fans of the North Stars can catch all the action at the Civic Centre and on 1050 CJNB. Pregame is at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:

M. Urbanski, M. Sinclair, R. Gil

E. Loon-Stewardson, B. Buziak, O. Lamb

A. Becker, B. Gammer, R. Doig

Q. Loon-Stewardson, K. Boser, D. Esau

Defenseman:

T. Scott, C. Spagrud

A. Shumanski, M. Fletcher

S. Summers, R. Granville

Goaltenders:

J. Grzybowski

A. Dmyterko

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars ready for release of Hounds

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