Blue liner, Liam Antoniuk and his North Stars’ teammates will return to action Friday at the Civic Centre, for their first of what will be a home-and-home with the rival Broncos this weekend. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Divisional showdown

North Stars eye seventh straight, as Broncos come to town

Jan 31, 2020 | 2:02 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday for the first time this week, as the team will welcome the rival Humboldt Broncos to town at the Civic Centre.

Friday’s showdown will mark the fourth matchup of the season-series this year, and the first of two games in a home-and-home set between the Stars and Broncos this weekend.

The Battlefords enter play red-hot, sitting in top spot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, while riding a six-game winning streak. With a 38-7-2 record, the Stars’ 78 points give them an 18-point cushion over second place overall heading into the weekend.

At the other end, Humboldt sit mired in the thick of the playoff race.

The owners of a 21-18-8 record this year, the Broncos’ 50 points place them seventh overall in the league standings, but just four points back of Melfort for fourth, and four up on Estevan in eighth.

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The Stars lead the season-series a perfect 3-0, but the games between the two sides have been hotly contested to say the least.

In their most recent home-and-home, back on Dec. 17 and 18, the Stars and Broncos combined for 17 goals, 225 minutes in penalties over the two games.

Because of the animosity between the two sides, the potential remains for special teams to play a factor again, Friday.

The Broncos and Stars each boast elite stats on the power play, sitting second and third on the man advantage this year, clicking along at 21.8 and 20.5 percent respectively.

On the kill though is where the Stars may carry the advantage. The Battlefords’ penalty kill is tops in the league with just under 87 percent efficiency, compared to Humboldt’s kill clicking at just under 80 percent.

Humboldt is led into play by youngsters Logan Kurki and Michael Harroch, who are coming off SJHL Rookie of the Week and Goaltender of the Week honours respectively.

Kurki has picked up four goals, six points over his last four games, and now sits fifth in rookie scoring, with 30 points through 34 games this year. In goal, Harroch has started each of the Broncos’ last three games, stopping 65 of his last 69 shots-against overall.

The Stars meanwhile, will look to test the Broncos’ goalie without forward Elijah Loon-Stewardson up front. Loon-Stewardson will join Rylan Nivon and Adam Dmyterko sidelined due to injury, with a lower body ailment.

The team will however receive a boost up front with both Jaxon Steele and Steven Kesslering returning to action from upper body injuries.

Kristian Lyon will get the start in goal for the Stars. Lyon enters play 3-0 through his opening three starts, to go along with a sparkling 1.67 goals-against average and .952 save percentage.

Friday’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 to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1