The Battlefords North Stars will look to close out their preseason on a high note this week, with a strong showing in their back-to-back games versus the Klippers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Final Tune-Ups

Stars look for strong finish to preseason

Oct 29, 2020 | 1:50 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will wrap up their exhibition schedule with the conclusion of the work week.

The Stars will welcome the Kindersley Klippers to town this evening, for the first of back-to-back games between the two sides.

Thursday’s game will be played at the Civic Centre, while Friday’s contest will then cap the preseason schedule for both teams, at the West Central Events Centre in Kindersley.

The North Stars and Klippers will have played each other four times total by the conclusion of the preseason. Kindersley won each of the first two matchups last weekend, 5-2 and 4-1.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko, said as the team readies for their final couple of tune-up games, there is still plenty of work to do.

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“You can tell we’re a little behind some teams, and we do expect more from some of our players,” Klimosko said. “I’m not overly happy with a lot, and I think it’s really going to show over these next couple of games who wants to be here and who doesn’t. There are a lot of jobs up for grabs and it’s that time of year where we’ve got to narrow down [the roster].”

Klimosko said heading into their final two preseason games, the message to the players is clear.

“We just have to compete,” he said. “The big thing is [determining] who’s going to battle and compete every night; who is here to make a hockey team, and who wants to be a North Star. I think those are going to be the decisions we’re going to make over the next couple of days.”

New face on the blue line

The North Stars also made a trade prior to their game Thursday, acquiring defenceman, Riley Little from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in exchange for future considerations.

Little brings two-way acumen to the team, as a right-hand shot with size (6’1, 175lbs), skill and puck moving ability.

Klimosko said, being an ’01 birthdate (19-year-old), he also likes the experience and intangibles a guy like Little can provide to a very youthful backend.

“We need some veteran leadership back there,” Klimosko said. “We have some young kids who I don’t think are ready, so adding another veteran is obviously going to help. It’s a start, and I think we’ll see how some of our defencemen do this weekend, and see if we have to make any more moves to feel comfortable back there.”

Little will not be in the lineup for either of the North Stars’ preseason games this week, but is expected to make the trip to the Battlefords by early next week.

Thursday night’s game at the Civic Centre will begin with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. The game will not be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcasts will begin with the commencement of the regular season.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1