Forward, Logan Spence and his North Stars’ teammates will kick off their midweek road swing Tuesday night in Wilcox against the Hounds. The Stars enter play having won five of their last six games overall. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Divisional dual

North Stars head to Wilcox for battle with Hounds

Jan 14, 2020 | 1:48 PM

After nearly a full week since their last game action, the Battlefords North Stars return to the ice Tuesday night, as the team will travel to Wilcox to take on the division rival, Notre Dame Hounds.

The North Stars enter Tuesday evening in top spot of the league standings with 66 points, thanks to a 32-7-2 record on the season.

While the team may be a staggering 32 points up on Notre Dame, the Stars will need to be at their best, against a Notre Dame team desperate to get back in the playoff picture.

The Hounds sit 10^th overall, carrying a 15-21-4 record into play through their opening 40 games. With just 18 games to go on the schedule, Notre Dame sits six points back of Estevan for the eighth and final playoff spot, while the Bruins also hold a game in hand.

If Notre Dame is to make a late season run, they will be led by netminder Riley Kohonick.

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Kohonick started each of the Hounds’ last four games and will likely get the start Tuesday.

Through 30 games this season, the product of White City, Sask., posted a 2.87 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. He will, however, be looking to bounce back from a tough outing in his last performance against the Battlefords, that saw the Stars chase the 19-year-old after picking up four goals on their opening eight shots, back on Dec. 20.

At the other end, Austin Schwab will get the nod for the Battlefords. Through 11 starts this year, Schwab has posted a 2.65 goals-against average and .913 save percentage this season.

Both goaltenders will need to be aware when the opposition’s best are on the ice.

Notre Dame is led up front by forwards Jarrett Penner and Jared Hamm. The pair sit 1-2 in Hounds’ scoring this season, with 29 and 28 points apiece, and have since virtually day one of the season.

The two have also been especially hot of late. Penner scored three goals, seven points over his last five games heading into play, while Hamm collected nine points over his last five as well.

The North Stars counter with an attack is as deep as any in the Saskatchewan League. That’s highlighted by a league-high nine players named to represent the Battlefords’ organization – and league at large – in the annual SJHL/MJHL showcase later this month.

While many Stars’ forwards are enjoying career-years up front, perhaps the true key to the team’s offensive success this season, has come from their back end.

Stars’ defencemen, Matthew Fletcher and Seth Summers sit first and second in blue line scoring this season with 35 and 34 points, respectively. Together, the two will be relied upon again Tuesday to press the attack from the back end.

Adding compliment to the pair, Noah Form also sits within the top 10 defencemen scoring leaders with 22 points, while Dylan McCabe ranks inside the top 20 with 16.

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

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

A. Becker, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

R. Nivon, B. Hiltz, J. Steele

M. Urbanski, D. Esau, S. Kesslering

R. McNinch, K. Boser, L. Spence

Defencemen:

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

N. Form, D. McCabe

T. Prexler, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

A. Schwab

K. Lyon

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1