Saturday’s matchup between the North Stars and Hawks should be a thriller if the season-series thus far is any indication. The Stars have come back to win each of the three prior meetings between the two sides in dramatic fashion, by just a single goal. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars, Hawks collide

North Stars enter Nipawin looking to keep streak alive versus Hawks

Nov 9, 2019 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night having won 14-straight contests, looking to make it 15 against a hungry Nipawin Hawks team in Nipawin.

The Battlefords enter the evening first in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division and first overall in the league at 21-1 on the season. Nipawin sit third in the Sherwood Division and fourth overall.

The Hawks will be likely be champing at the bit for another shot at retribution against the Battlefords, after blowing multi-goal leads in each of the first three matchups of the season-series thus far.

After getting off to a hot start to the year, Nipawin has cooled considerably as the campaign has gone along. The team is 1-2-1 since the start of November, and have won just three of their last 10 games overall.

A large reason for the Hawks’ struggles has been their lack of offensive contribution, as the team is averaging just-under three goals per-game. The Stars, by contrast are averaging nearly five goals per-contest.

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Looking to shake things up, Nipawin recently made a trade sending 19-year-old, Eric Sorenson to the Klippers as the key piece in a deal for 20-year-old veteran journeyman, Dawson McKenzie.

The Hawks mark McKenzie’s fourth team in three years in the SJHL. A skilled player, McKenzie is on pace for his best Junior season yet, having picked up 20 points in 18 games with the Klippers prior to the trade. He is expected to make his Hawks debut Saturday night.

While Nipawin’s new acquisition will mark a name to watch for the North Stars, the Hawks will also need to be aware of a number of Stars’ players who enter the evening on a hot streak.

Forwards Matthias Urbanski and Quintin Loon-Stewardson are perhaps the most dangerous North Stars of late.

Urbanski is coming a two-goal performance Friday, and has picked up four goals and five points over his last four games. Loon-Stewardson, while held off the scorecard Friday, has still collected five goals and nine points over his last five games.

The Stars will need their big guns to continue to roll, with all hands on deck at both ends for the team to continue their success in the face of adversity Saturday night.

Forward, Elijah Loon-Stewardson will miss his second-straight game with an upper body injury while defenceman, Dylan McCabe will also be held out of action due to an upper body injury.

While the absence of their top line forward and top four defenceman will undoubtedly be felt, the Stars have shown this season to have the depth to overcome adversity due to injury.

Forwards Steven Kesslering and Dace Prymak were among those to step up for the team Friday night taking advantage of their additional ice time.

Prymak chipped in the eventual game-winner on the night and picked up a helper, while Kesslering used his boundless energy and playmaking ability to remain a dangerous threat throughout the night.

On the blue line, a similar opportunity will be given tonight to whichever three of the core four rookies get the call on the night.

Liam Antoniuk, Jordan Gagnon, Timon Prexler and Walter Somers have alternated through the third defensive pairing throughout the year.

Through previous injury situations, the team has seen both Prexler and Antoniuk also step up to fill in with top four duties in an interim capacity.

In the two games McCabe missed previously this year, Prexler filled in alongside Noah Form, while in the case of Seth Summers’ missed contest, it was Antoniuk getting the nod to take on additional minutes. In each case, the young blue liners have made their case for additional ice time through the given performances.

It remains to be seen which of the four young guns is given a shot alongside Form in the top four this evening.

In goal, Austin Schwab will get the nod Saturday. The 18-year-old, Schwab enters play a perfect 3-0 on the year with a sparkling 1.96 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. 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 TBD

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1