The Battlefords North Stars closed their preseason schedule Sunday with a 5-4 victory over the Klippers. The team will now look for a repeat performance Friday, when they open the regular season in Kindersley. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Shining performance

North Stars wrap preseason on high note, ready for weekend opener

Nov 2, 2020 | 4:56 PM

The Battlefords North Stars capped their preseason over the weekend, with a 5-4 victory over the rival Klippers in Kindersley.

Four different players chipped in with goals, as Jaxon Steele scored a pair, while Ryland McNinch, Kevin-Thomas Walters, and Ryder Kenyon also added their first of the preseason respectively. Goalie Austin Schwab also stopped 16-of-20 shots-against for the win.

Head coach of the North Stars Brayden Klimosko, said it was great to see a few more guys get on the board, and even more importantly, the team to get a big win to help boost morale heading into the season.

“You could tell the boys had a few more smiles on their faces today [following last night’s win] and they should,” Klimosko said. “They worked hard and they deserved it. It was a big two points.”

The win marked the Stars’ first of the exhibition season, after Kindersley took the opening three tune-up games between the two sides.

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Klimosko said more than just the final score at the end of the night there was lots to like about the team’s performance Sunday. The group showed good hustle, and proficiency on special teams, where the Stars went three-for-seven on the power play and killed 10-of-11 penalties, against a dangerous Klippers’ man-advantage.

“I think we took pucks to the net a lot harder, and obviously the power play was firing on all cylinders, so that was nice to see,” he said. “I think we’re slowly finding our game. Our forwards are moving their feet more and I think overall, the battle and compete just has to get there every night and hopefully we continue to get to that point.”

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) confirmed late Sunday evening, the regular season schedule will go ahead as planned, beginning Friday.

The North Stars will open their season Friday night (Nov. 6) in Kindersley, for the first of back-to-backs against the Klippers to open the year. The teams will then play each other Saturday (Nov. 7) at the Civic Centre, for the North Stars’ home-opener.

Both games will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1