Stars’ defenceman Matthew Fletcher and goaltender Austin Schwab pictured here during a tip drill at the morning skate Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Preseason continues

North Stars look to pounce as team welcomes Lloyd Bobcats to town

Sep 6, 2019 | 3:31 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday for their second game of the pre-season, and final home game of the exhibition schedule.

The Stars will play host to the Lloydminster Bobcats this evening, for the first game of what will be a back-to-back, home-and-home showdown between the two sides this weekend, Friday and Saturday night.

One North Stars’ defenceman suiting up for his first pre-season game with the team is blue liner, Walter Somers.

Somers, a 17-year-old from Singapore, played his bantam and midget hockey in Saskatoon before being called up to the Moose Jaw Generals of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League (SMHL) where he has played the last year and a half.

A fourth round draft pick of the Stars in 2017, Somers said he has enjoyed the experience in his first camp with the team, and is looking forward to stepping onto the ice this evening for his first exhibition game action with the club.

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“I am loving it,” Somers said with a smile. “The vets out there make it good competition. It is certainly a big jump from Midget AAA, [but] I think I am fitting in well. I am playing physical, shooting the puck, and playing around with the boys. It is certainly one of the camps I won’t forget [and] I’m excited to see what this level holds for me; I think I can keep up with the big boys, and I’m just going to play my game and have some fun.”

Now at the midway mark of the pre-season, opening night of the regular season campaign sits just one week away. With competition for limited spots heating up, Stars’ Head Coach Brayden Klimosko said he told the players he wants to see them separate themselves from the rest of the pack and make their case for a spot on the opening night roster.

“After tonight we are not going to be worried about our young guys as much, as we’re getting ready for game one [next] Friday night,” he said. “Tonight is a big one for some of these kids and hopefully they have their best foot forward.”

Puck drop Friday will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1