Stars’ forward, Dylan Esau has been a force as of late for the Battlefords, picking up two goals over his last three games heading into Saturday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Divisional Showdown

Stars look to keep shine in rematch with Hounds

Jan 18, 2020 | 2:12 PM

Like a shooting star streaking through the sky, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night on a streak of their own, having won three straight.

Coming off a commanding 6-3 double up of the La Ronge Ice Wolves Friday night at the Civic Centre, the team will now take to the road once again, as the Stars will play host to the Notre Dame Hounds in Hillmond for a neutral site game.

Saturday’s contest will be the second matchup between the Stars and Hounds in the last week. The Battlefords thumped Notre Dame 5-1 in Wilcox Tuesday, and lead the season series with a 3-0-1 record against their division rivals heading into the fifth installment.

The North Stars enter play hot, having won three straight already this week. The team’s 25-7-2 record overall is tops in the league, and a staggering 15 points up on second place, Flin Flon.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, head into Saturday night looking to build on a huge 4-3 overtime win over Kindersley Friday. The team will hope to push their way back into the playoff picture with a late season run.

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The Hounds’ 16-22-4 record this year places them 10^th overall in the league standings. The club’s 36 points put them six back of Estevan for the final playoff spot, while the Bruins hold two games in hand.

If the Hounds are to find success Saturday, they will need to find a way to slow down the North Stars’ offence. The Stars have scored a combined 16 goals over their last three outings, with 12 different players chipping in with at least a single tally over the span.

That said, the Battlefords will return to play Saturday needing their depth of scoring to continue, as the team is forced to deal with injuries.

Rylan Nivon will miss his second straight game with an upper body injury, while Steven Kesslering will join him on the injured list after taking a high hit Friday night against the Ice Wolves.

Goaltender, Adam Dmyterko also remains injured, while forward Logan Spence may miss the night’s action due to potential suspension following a feisty finish to Friday night’s game.

With potentially three key forwards out of the picture, the Stars will likely be forced to dress eleven, with seven defenceman to fill out the roster.

Quintin Loon-Stewardson leads the Battlefords’ attack into play, coming off a three-point outing Friday that saw the forward wire home his team leading 24^th of the season, while also adding a couple of helpers. Loon-Stewardson now leads the team in points as well, with 48 through 44 games.

At the other end, defenceman Hardy Wagner leads the Hounds into play, after scoring a couple of goals Friday, including the overtime game winner, against the Klippers in Kindersley.

Austin Schwab will get the nod for the Stars, while Riley Kohonick will likely be given the start for the Hounds.

Both have been nothing short of excellent this year, as the 18-year-old, Schwab has posted a sparkling 2.50 goals-against average and .918 save percentage over his first 12 contests, while Kohonick has put up a 2.90 goals-against average and .917 save percentage through 32 games.

Saturday’s game will be a neutral site contest played at Hillmond Redden Arena, beginning an hour later than initially scheduled.

Pregame will start at 8:15 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 8:30 p.m. on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB.

North Stars lineup TBD.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1