There’s never a shortage of conversation between the benches when the North Stars and Bombers come together. The fued has become one of the premier interdivisional rivalries in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League thanks largely to the team’s recent playoff history. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Renewing the rivalry

North Stars host Bombers in showdown at Battleford Arena

Oct 11, 2019 | 2:27 PM

Surging off four-straight road victories, the Battlefords North Stars return to the ice Friday night in front of the hometown crowd.

Looking to stay hot, the team will welcome the Flin Flon Bombers to town, but across the bridge at Battleford Arena.

The North Stars enter play red hot, having steamrolled their way to an 11-1 record, sitting in top spot of the league standings. Flin Flon has won seven of their first 10 games.

Adding additional fuel to the fire Friday, the Bombers will be hungry to earn some retribution after the first meeting between the two. Taking place at the League Showcase in Warman, the Stars lit up the Bombers 10-3.

The North Stars and Bombers enter play this weekend with all the makings of what could be an offensive slugfest.

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The Battlefords lay claim to the top offense in the league, averaging 4.8 goals per-game, while Flin Flon possess the second-best scoring clip, having averaged 4.4 goals per contest.

The North Stars are led into action Friday by forward Rylan Nivon who is coming off a red-hot showing Wednesday night against Melfort. The veteran scored three points along with the shootout winner for the Stars against the Mustangs to keep the team’s winning streak intact.

Defenceman Matthew Fletcher has been hot for the homeside, following up consecutive Defenceman of the Week billings with another multi-point performance against the Mustangs.

Fletcher leads all blue liners with 14 points through his opening 12 games this season.

Stars’ captain Matthew Fletcher has been a dynamic presence for the team at both ends of the rink this season, leading all blue liners in scoring, while also providing a solid shutdown presence defensively. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

On the other side of things, the Bombers are led by forwards Alec Malo and Donavan Houle-Villeneuve. The dynamic duo sit first and second in league scoring with 20 and 19 points respectively. The pair rank first and second in points-per-game amongst scorers in the league this season.

Houle-Villeneuve in particular will need to be contained if the Stars hope to find success Friday. The soon-to-be 20-year-old was far-and away the Bombers’ best player the first time the teams played, picking up two of his team-leading 11 goals in the contest.

A big part of keeping the Bombers’ big guns under wraps will be staying out of the penalty box.

Flin Flon boasts the top power play percentage in the league, clicking on an unprecedented 29 per cent of their chances, with 18 man-advantage goals through just 10 games played.

The Stars do, however, counter the Bombers with an efficient penalty kill, which ranks fourth-best at 84.5 per cent effectiveness.

In goal, the North Stars will once again turn to Adam Dmyterko between the pipes.

The defending Goaltender of the Week, Dmyterko has been outstanding for the club this year, having posted a perfect 8-0 record to go along with a sparkling 2.10 goals-against average and .937 save percentage thus far.

For Flin Flon, fellow 19-year-old Jacob Delorme is likely to get the nod.

Delorme has posted a 4-1 record along with a 3.38 goals-against average and .900 save percentage through six games with the team this year.

Friday’s game will take place at Battleford Arena in Battleford. Following the night’s contest, the North Stars will be hosting a Thanksgiving Bash at the Alex Dillabough Centre, featuring a dance and midnight lunch. Tickets are available here and at All Out Graphics in Battleford.

Friday’s game will be broadcast on 93.3 The Rock. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on NAPA North Stars Hockey.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

M. Urbanski, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, B. Gammer, R. Nivon

K. Boser, McNinch, D. Esau

C. Reagan, S. Kesslering, L. Spence

Defencemen:

N. Form, D. McCabe

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

J. Gagnon, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

A. Dmyterko

A. Schwab

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1