North Stars aim for third-straight win, sixth in last seven

With 72 points, the Battlefords sit neck-and-neck with the Humboldt Broncos, who also have 72 points, for second in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division. To their advantage, the Stars do hold a single game in hand on the Broncos. Kindersley remains atop the division by just a single point with 73 on the year.

Making matters even more intriguing, the Klippers play the Broncos in Humboldt in the only other SJHL action tonight.

Notre Dame sits fourth in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division with a 25-20-9 record but have been hot as of late with the team winning four in a row heading in to Sunday.

Notre Dame is lead up front by forwards Marshall Wilton and Jakob Breault.

Wilton, a 6’1, 190 lbs left winger from Emerald City, Sask., leads the Hounds in scoring with 63 points in 50 games this season placing the forward 10^th in league scoring.

Breault, meanwhile, is a diminutive centerman at 5’11, 180 lbs, who leads the Hounds in goals with 23 and also sits above point-per-game with 51 points in just 47 games.

Both Wilton and Breault are currently riding 10-game point streaks into action Sunday with a combined 13 goals, 34 points over the span.

In addition to the “big two up front, Notre Dame also lays claim to three of the top rookie performers in the SJHL this season.

Forwards Jarett Penner and Nolan Renwick, both standing at 6’2, have brought additional size and all around offensive acumen to the Hounds attack this season. Penner with 20 goals, 35 points and Renwick with 25 points in just 38 games, sit fourth and sixth respectively in the rookie scoring race.

Defenseman Kyle Robinson leads all first-year blue liners in both goals (6) and points (24) through 54 games. Robinson has been especially hot as of late, having racked up three goals over his last four games played.

For the North Stars, Owen Lamb has spearheaded the offensive attack as of late. After being held off the scoresheet Saturday for the first time in February, the North Battleford product was the one to ultimately play the hero, once again breaking through in the shootout to score the game winning goal in Estevan for his team.

Also worthy of note for the Stars has been the depth of scoring coming through at critical junctures in games.

Ryan Gil, who scored the game-tying goal Saturday with just a half-minute to go in the third against Estevan, has now scored goals in back-to-back contests.

Austin Becker who opened the scoring against the Bruins has also scored in each of the first two games this weekend.

Between the pipes, Stars’ goalie Joel Grzybowski will get the start for the Battlefords for the second-straight night.

Grzybowski stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced Saturday night, backstopping his team to the 3-2 shootout victory in Estevan while posting a .941 save percentage in the process.

For the Hounds, netminder Riley Kohonick is expected to get the start.

Kohonick, who turns 19 in a month, has been outstanding in his rookie season having posted a 2.80 goals-against average and .915 save percentage through 29 games this year.

Kohonick has been especially sharp against the North Stars where the goalie has stopped 60 of a combined 65 shots over his three previous appearances against the Battlefords; posting a .923 save percentage in the process.

Fans can catch the full NAPA North Stars hockey broadcast on 1050 CJNB, beginning with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:

B. Buziak, M. Sinclair, O. Lamb

E. Loon-Stewardson, Q. Loon-Stewardson, R. Gil

A. Becker, B. Gammer, D. Esau

K. Boser, D. Heino, R. Doig

Defensmen:

TBD

Goaltenders:

J. Grzybowski

A. Dmyterko

–

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars aim for third-straight win, sixth in last seven

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