Stars’ forward, Quintin Loon-Stewardson is coming off SJHL Player of the Week honours and leads the North Stars with 25 goals and 49 points this year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Battle in the Battlefords

Stars welcome Mustangs to town for showdown at Civic Centre

Jan 24, 2020 | 2:55 PM

After a full calendar week since their last home game, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday night at the Civic Centre, as the team will welcome the Melfort Mustangs to town.

Friday’s game will mark the third matchup of the season-series between the Stars and Mustangs, as the Battlefords’ club will look to add to a perfect 2-0 record through each of the first two matchups thus far.

The North Stars enter play on the evening in top spot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, with a 26-7-2 record through 45 games. The team’s 74 points give them a 17-point lead over second place, heading into action.

The Mustangs are 23-14-5 on the year, and with 51 points, sit fourth overall in the league standings.

While the meeting will be the first between the two sides in over two months, the core players on each side should be more than a little familiar with each other, after forming an alliance at the SJHL/MJHL league showcase earlier in the week in Regina.

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The Stars and Mustangs combined for 13 of the 20 players on the SJHL’s Team Kunitz (one of three teams to represent the Saskatchewan League at the event), while Stars’ coach, Brayden Klimosko and Mustangs’ bench boss, Trevor Blevins suited up as coaches for the team.

Friday’s matchup will feature the top two defensive clubs this season, when it comes to stifling the opposition. The Stars have allowed just under 2.5 goals-against per game, while Melfort has given up just over 2.8 per contest.

A large reason for the teams’ sterling defensive numbers has been the play of their respective blue lines, which have proven themselves amongst the elite at both ends of the ice.

The Stars and Mustangs feature three of the top four defenceman scoring leaders in the league, and five of the top nine overall.

Stars’ rearguards, Matthew Fletcher and Seth Summers sit first and second in defenceman production with 40 and 38 points, while Noah Form ranks tied for eighth with 26 points.

At the other end, Nolan Kadachuk’s 32 points put the defender third in the blue line scoring ranks, while partner Alex Rondeau has 26 points, tied with Form for eighth.

Behind the power house blue lines, Friday night will also feature two of the top goaltenders in the league, as of late.

The Stars’ Kristian Lyon has been lights out since arriving in the Battlefords, coming off SJHL Goaltender of the Week honours for his play last week.

The 6’2 product of Langley, BC., has posted a 2-0 record, along with a 1.50 goals-against average and .963 save percentage through his opening two games with the team.

At the other end, while not officially confirmed, Mustangs’ netminder Shawn Parkinson is likely to get the nod for the visitors.

Through 29 games this season, Parkinson has posted a sterling 16-9 record, to go along with a 2.63 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

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

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1