Stars’ forward, Rylan Nivon will lead a hungry North Stars' offence into play Tuesday, as the team will look to bounce back from Saturday’s 10-1 loss to Flin Flon. Nivon has been a catalyst for the group all season, sitting second in team scoring with 10 goals, 36 points this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry renewed

North Stars head to Humboldt for divisional showdown with Broncos

Dec 17, 2019 | 1:26 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Tuesday night in Humboldt for their first of a back-to-back, home-and-home set this week against the division-rival Broncos.

Tuesday’s matchup will be just the second meeting of the season-series between the two sides, and the first since Nov. 5, a 3-0 Stars’ decision.

The two teams sit first and second in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division heading into play.

The Stars are also first overall in the league standings, thanks to a 27-6-2 record, which has earned them 56 points. Humboldt are 16-13-5 through 34 games, and with 37 points, sit sixth.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back to consistency after a middling last 10 games.

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The Stars are 4-4-2 over their last 10, including an especially rough stretch that has seen the team drop five of their last six. The Battlefords’ skid was highlighted by a 10-1 thrashing at the hands of the Flin Flon Bombers Saturday night at home.

Humboldt, meanwhile are 4-5-1 over their last 10, coming off a 6-1 victory over Melville, that snapped a five-game losing skid.

Both teams will be searching for consistency heading into the holiday break, as the home-and-home will serve as the Broncos’ final two games prior to the New Year, while the Stars will have just a single game remaining following the divisional showdown.

Tuesday’s game has the potential to see some serious offensive firepower. The Stars and Broncos sit first and fifth in overall goal production this year, while having scored 3.8 and 3.5 goals per-game, respectively.

The Broncos are one of just two teams to have multiple 40-point scorers on the roster, as the team is led up front by offensive sparkplugs, Luke Spadafora and Logan Foster.

Spadafora, who took home SJHL Rookie of the year honours last year, has picked up right where he left off this season. After posting 39 points through his opening 30 games with Melville, the 19-year-old was acquired by the Broncos Dec. 1. He has since added an additional two points in three games to led the Broncos in scoring with 41 points on the season.

Foster meanwhile, has been a revelation this year for Humboldt. The diminutive forward has chalked up a team-leading 16 goals, to go with 40 points through the opening half of the campaign.

Together, the Broncos’ top two horses enter play red-hot, combining for three goals, seven points over their last two games.

The Stars, meanwhile, are led up front by a deep attack looking to get rolling once again.

While the Battlefords may not have a single 40-point scorer, the team is one of only two clubs to possess four 30-point men.

Quintin Loon-Stewardson leads the team with 21 goals and 38 points this season, while Rylan Nivon tops the Stars’ in assists with 26 and sits second in points with 36.

Forwards Matthias Urbanski and Austin Becker, who sit tied for third in team scoring with 13 goals and 33 points apiece, will each also be featured on separate units heading into play.

Adding to the offensive potential for either side, the Broncos also lay claim to the second-best power play percentage in the league, clicking at just over 21 per cent, while the Stars’ sit sixth at nearly 17 per cent.

Each man advantage unit has been especially hot of late. The Broncos were a staggering five-for-11 in their last outing, while the Stars have cashed for six power play goals over their last six games.

Parker Rey will get the start for the Stars in goal. The 19-year-old has been a tower of strength this season, posting a sterling 7-2 record to go along with a 2.09 goals-against average and .923 save percentage this year.

At the other end, it remains to be seen who will get the nod for the Broncos. Three different netminders have been given the start for the team through their opening three games of the month.

Sixteen-year-old, Brett Mirwald picked up a 46 save victory in his SJHL debut Saturday against Melville and could see a return to action. Otherwise the Broncos could hand the reigns back to 18-year-old, Dawson Cochrane who started Thursday for the team at home. Cochrane has posted a 3.83 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this season through five games.

Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

R. Nivon, Q. Loon-Stewardson, J. Steele

M. Urbanski, B. Hiltz, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, K. Boser, S. Kesslering

H. Partsch, D. Esau, R. McNinch

Defencemen:

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

D. McCabe, T. Prexler

L. Antoniuk, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

P. Rey

A. Dmyterko

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1