The Battlefords North Stars will play host to the rival, Kindersley Klippers Friday, to open their preseason with a bang. The two will then play their second game in as many nights Saturday in Kindersley. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

The Good ‘Ol Hockey Game

North Stars kick off preseason Friday at Civic Centre

Oct 23, 2020 | 1:55 PM

For the first time in over seven months, the Battlefords North Stars are set to take to the ice Friday, for a game at the Civic Centre.

The North Stars will kick off their preseason against the rival, Kindersley Klippers. It will be the first of a home-and-home this weekend, and first of four exhibition games total between the two sides, prior to the start of the regular season.

Assistant coach with the North Stars, Rob Holoien, said there was a buzz in the air around the rink Friday morning, as the team is chomping at the bit to get started following an extended offseason.

“I think everybody’s excited, from the fans, to the kids and even us coaches,” Holoien said. “We’re most excited for the kids as this has been a long, hard haul having seven months off and it was nice to see their smiles today at the morning skate and getting ready to play tonight.”

The North Stars feature just eight returning skaters from last year’s roster, and look to slot in amongst the youngest teams in the league this fall, regardless of final roster decisions.

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Head coach, Brayden Klimosko said with so many new faces, for what should be a unique season, the preseason will perhaps be more important than ever.

“Especially this year, we have so many new players and new rules for everyone really,” Klimosko said. “Even the young guys who were here last year will have extended roles, so our message going into [preseason] is just to not get too down if something’s not going 100 per cent. That’s what these games are for is trial runs, and hopefully we can figure it out and work out some of the kinks.”

Puck drop Friday will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has limited attendance at all league preseason games to just 150 spectators. Both Friday’s game in North Battleford and Saturday’s game in Kindersley have already been sold out.

It remains to be seen when the SJHL regular season will begin, or what capacity restrictions will be in place when the season does start. The North Stars’ radio broadcasts on 1050 CJNB will commence with the start of the regular season.

For more on the North Stars preseason roster heading into the weekend, click here.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1