Stars ready for Bombers in Game 1 as playoffs begin

Because of their seventh-place finish, the Bombers have already experienced their first taste of playoff action this spring, with the team defeating the tenth-place, Weyburn Red Wings, two-games-to-none in their survivor series matchup. The series victory punched the Bombers’ ticket to the Battlefords in round one, quarter-final action.

Flin Flon finished the season with the third-ranked offence in the league, having produced a staggering 233 goals through the 58-game regular season.

The North Stars, meanwhile will counter Flin Flon’s aggressive attack, with the third-ranked defence in the league, having allowed just 169 goals on the campaign.

The Stars do also boast a deceptively lethal offence as well, finishing fourth in offensive production, with 213 goals in their own right.

The North Stars, with home ice advantage, will have the last chance to dictate the matchups to their liking for the first two games of the series.

The Battlefords’ top line of MacGregor Sinclair with Owen Lamb and Braydon Buziak have proven to be an elite two-way force bringing defensive acumen to the fold as a premier shutdown unit in addition to the trio’s offensive contribution. The three finished first, second and third in team scoring this season with 72, 57, and 52 points respectively.

The Sinclair line will likely see plenty of ice time against the Bombers’ Hooper unit.

Flin Flon’s top line, featuring Nate Hooper at the pivot position between Brandson Hein and Donavan Houle-Villeneuve, combined for a staggering six goals, 12 points in their two game survivor series victory over the Weyburn Red Wings.

The Bombers’ forwards’ playoff production comes after a regular season campaign that saw Hooper finish third in league scoring with 87 points in 58 games. Hein scored 78 points, while Houle-Villeneuve posted 46 in just 51 games.

On the backend, tasked with shutting down the explosive offence of either side, is perhaps the most prominent matchup between the two teams, featuring a pair of the game’s best – if not the two best – defencemen in the league staring one another down.

Stars’ captain Cody Spagrud was named SJHL Top Defenceman in the league this season, while Bombers’ alternate captain, Calvin Boots was named a finalist for the award.

Both blue liners will be counted on heavily to lead their teams on the defensive side of the puck, while also proving to be elite offensive catalysts for their respective sides. The two rearguards finished tied for third in defencemen scoring, with 42 points apiece this season.

In goal, Stars’ netminder Joel Grzybowski will provide the last line of defence for the Battlefords.

At just 19-years of age, Grzybowski started a league-high 44 games this season for the North Stars. Grzybowski posted 24 wins, along with a 2.77 goals-against average and .908 save percentage through the regular season.

Bombers’ goalie, Gabriel Waked played 14 games with Flin Flon this season, picking up eight wins along with a 3.36 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.

Fans can catch game one of the Stars’ and Bombers’ quarter-finals matchup at the Civic Centre and on 1050 CJNB.

Ultra Print Pregame Show begins at 7 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

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by Martin Martinson

Stars ready for Bombers in Game 1 as playoffs begin

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