Stars’ forward Elijah Loon-Stewardson and his North Stars’ teammates will play the division rival Hounds for the first time this season Thursday. Loon-Stewardson has been a force for the team this season with 21 points in 23 games this year. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

New day a new dog

Stars look to sniff out win and bounce-back versus Hounds

Nov 28, 2019 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Thursday for part two in their three-games in three-nights gauntlet to close out the workweek.

Coming off just their third defeat of the season Wednesday in Yorkton against the Terriers, the Stars will now look to bounce back quickly against a new dog, in the division-rival, Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox.

Thursday will mark the first matchup of the season-series between the Stars and Hounds.

Despite their loss Wednesday, the North Stars remain well in front of the rest of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) in top spot overall. Having won 17 of their last 19 games, the Battlefords return to play with a 24-3 record through their opening 27 games this season.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, sit third in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division and eighth overall carrying an 11-14-3 record into play Thursday.

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Goals could be at a premium heading into the night, as the Stars and Hounds rank first and fifth respectively in goals-against this year. The North Stars have allowed just over two goals-against per-game, while Notre Dame has allowed just a shade under three per-contest.

Offensively, however, the divide is clear between the two teams. The North Stars also lead the league clipping along at nearly 4.4 goals per contest, while Notre Dame has struggled to find consistent offense, averaging just 2.25 goals per-game.

While the scale offensively looks tilted heading into the evening, it is not as though the Hounds don’t have threats to score up front. The team’s offence is led by second-year forward, Jarrett Penner and third-year star, Jared Hamm. The pair sit first and second in team in scoring with 18 and 17 points apiece.

Penner, a rugged power forward, uses his frame well at 6’3 180 lbs., and appears to only be picking up where he left off last season when the Saskatoon, Sask., product finished third in rookie scoring with 39 points in 56 games. Especially dangerous on the power play, Penner’s six power play goals are third-most in the SJHL.

Hamm on the other hand is a different style entirely. A diminutive but very cerebral player at just 5’8, 175 lbs., the veteran, Hamm brings additional game-breaking scoring acumen to the fold.

The Stars counter with an offence of their own lush with scoring threats. Quintin Loon-Stewardson and Rylan Nivon co-lead the Battlefords with 32 points apiece. Loon-Stewardson’s 20 goals are a team-best while Nivon’s 23 assists are a club-high as well.

With eight players having amassed at least 20 points already this season, the Stars’ depth of attack should prove a difficult challenge ahead for the Hounds on home ice.

Behind that offensive attack, 18-year-old goaltender, Austin Schwab is expected to get the nod between the pipes for the Battlefords Thursday.

Schwab is 6-0 this season with a sparkling 1.98 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

At the other end, the Hounds will counter with either 19-year-old, Riley Kohonick or 20-year-old, Logan Dyck.

Kohonick has carried the bulk of the load for the team this season with eight wins through twenty-two appearances, to go along with a 2.88 goals-against average and .916 save percentage.

Kohonick did, however get the start just one night ago, meaning the hand could be tipped in favor of Dyck to go Thursday.

Dyck has posted three wins through seven starts with the team this year, to go along with a 2.88 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Thursday’s game will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:45 p.m. with puck drop at 8 p.m.

North Stars lineup TBA

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1