The Battlefords North Stars took their regular season series with the Hawks 5-1, but the meetings were hard-fought with three of the six games being decided by just a single goal. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Home Barn Kickoff

Stars ready for Hawks in Game 1 as playoffs begin

Mar 6, 2020 | 2:02 PM

Coming off a regular season for the books that saw the team take home a league-best 45 wins, the Battlefords North Stars will turn the page to the postseason this weekend, opening their quarterfinal series with the Nipawin Hawks with back-to-back games at the Civic Centre.

The North Stars have been the top team in the league since day one of the season. The team posted a 22-1 record through their opening 23 games on their way to a first-place regular season pennant, finishing with a 45-11-2 record, giving the team 92 points.

Nipawin also exploded out of the gate this year with a perfect 6-0 start to open the campaign, holding down third place as recently as the new year. The Hawks, like the North Stars, battled injuries down the stretch leading to a 3-6-1 record over their last 10 to finish the year 30-24-4, for 64 points.

The injury situation for both teams will be among the biggest storylines heading into the series.

Nipawin has been without captain and top-line centerman, Jake Tremblay since Feb. 5, while Stars’ game breaker, Rylan Nivon has been sidelined since Jan. 15. Each of the pair were leading their respective teams in scoring ahead of their missed time, and are expected to make an appearance at some point in the opening round.

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Additionally, the Hawks’ Jordan Simoneau missed the last two games for his team (due to suspension), and Stars’ rookie Steven Kesslering has been out since Feb. 7. Both teams will be looking for a quick return to the lineup from each player to bolster their offensive depth.

Up front may be where the North Stars hold the biggest advantage heading into the matchup, both in depth of high-end scorers and all around number of offensive contributors.

The Stars are led offensively by a dynamic core that features five 50-point scorers, in addition to three of the top ten blue line producers. Austin Becker led the team with 59 points, while Matthias Urbanski (57), Quintin Loon-Stewardson (55), Ben Hiltz (53) and Elijah Loon-Stewardson (53) round out the top five.

Nipawin, by contrast, lack a single 50-point scorer, but remain dangerous with a gritty and quick-in-transition attack.

Dawson McKenzie led the team with 49 points, while Tremblay (44), Michael Makarenko (42), Carson Erhardt (40) and Simoneau (36) make up their offensive core.

Despite the perceived advantage for the Stars, goal scoring should be at a premium throughout the series for both sides. The North Stars and Hawks were each amongst the stingiest teams in the league this year, finishing first (BAT) and third (NIP) overall in goals-against, with both allowing just under three goals per-game.

The Stars’ blue line is led by a feared foursome of Matthew Fletcher, Seth Summers, Noah Form and Dylan McCabe. In addition to leading the Stars to a league-high 51 goals and 179 points from the back end, together the team’s ‘core four’ will be counted on for big minutes in all situations against the Hawks’ top offensive threats.

Nipawin also boast a defence core amongst the most defensively sound. Stacked with big bodies who play a physical game, such as Bronson Adams (6’1, 185lbs), Mkyllan Couture 6’1, 184lbs) and Cole Beamin (6’4, 209lbs).

Acting as the last line of defence, the North Stars’ goaltending tandem will be relied upon to find postseason success. Adam Dmyterko posted a 15-4-1 record, along with a 2.51 goals-against average and .922 save percentage, while Kristian Lyon has put up 8-1 record to go along with a 2.33 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.

At the other end of the ice, the Hawks’ Ross Hawryluk posted a 15-7-4 record and 2.52 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

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

North Stars playoff schedule, Round 1 vs. Nipawin Hawks

Game #1: Friday, March 6 @North Battleford Civic Centre

Game #2: Saturday, March 7 @North Battleford Civic Centre

Game #3: Tuesday, March 10 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

Game #4 Wednesday, March 11 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #5 Friday, March 13 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*Game #6 Sunday, March 15 @ Nipawin’s Centennial Arena

*Game #7 Tuesday, March 17 @ North Battleford Civic Centre

*indicates if needed.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1