Stars forward, Dylan Esau sits third in team scoring with 15 points through 13 games, and will be counted on for his standout two-way play against a stingy Bruins team, Tuesday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

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North Stars welcome Bruins to town for first time this season

Oct 26, 2021 | 2:51 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will return to home ice Tuesday evening, for the first time in 10 days, as the team will host their first matchup of the season with the Estevan Bruins.

The North Stars (8-3-1) sit just three points up on the Bruins for fourth spot overall in the SJHL standings, while the Bruins (7-3-1) hold two games in-hand.

Both teams have posted a 6-3-1 record over their last 10, and enter play Tuesday on a 3-0-1 streak, though they have done so with different formulas to their success.

Despite being shutout in Saturday’s 1-0 shootout loss to the Terriers in Yorkton, the North Stars still lead the league in both goals and goals per-game, having scored 62 through 13 games, for an average of just under five per-contest (4.7).

Estevan meanwhile, bounced back from a shootout loss of their own Thursday (3-2 to La Ronge), to blank Melville 9-0 in their last game, Saturday.

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Though even with their recent offensive explosion, it has been the Bruins’ ability to keep the puck out of their net – allowing the fewest goals-against in the league with just 26 against (or 2.4 per-game) through 11 games – that has been the key ingredient to their success.

While the North Stars hold a slight edge on the power play, having converted on just over 22 per cent of their opportunities, Estevan is also clicking at over 20 per cent, while laying claim to the league’s top penalty kill through the early season.

The Bruins’ 87 per cent efficiency on the power play suggests optimal power play looks will be at a premium. And while the North Stars’ 76 per cent effectiveness on the kill looks on paper to be a rough spot, it’s only a matter of time for the team, who have finished top-three in the league on the PK each of the last three years dating back to the 2018-19 season, when head coach Brayden Klimosko first took over behind the bench.

The North Stars offence is led by Jake Southgate, whose nine goals and 18 points, not only pace the team, but rank third in the league scoring race in each statistic.

Steven Kesslering (16 points), Dylan Esau (15 points) and Holden Doell (13 points) also have scored at least a point-per game for the club through their opening 13 games.

Perhaps the biggest spark to the team, will be the return to the lineup of all-situations center, Emmett Wurst. The 19-year-old has factored in as a key cog in every game situation for the Stars, whether it be power play, penalty kill, faceoff prowess, or as a matchup center against opposition top lines.

Wurst has also been a reliable scoring threat, having picked up five goals, nine points with the team through his first 11 games.

The additions of Wurst and Matthew Henry will be the two personnel changes up front for the team from their last outing, while defenceman, Easton Rask and goaltender, Ulrik Roussel will also draw back into the lineup on the defensive side.

In eight games this season, Roussel has posted a 5-1 record, with a 2.93 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Estevan are led by a deep attack as well.

Rookie, Caelan Fitzpatrick leads the team, and sits second amongst all rookies, with 14 points this season, while his six goals are also tied for a team-best with veteran center, Griffin Asham-Moroz who adds 11 points of his own.

Fellow forwards, Mark Rumsey (11 points), Antoine St. Onge (10 points) and Olivier Pouliot (10 points) round out the team’s top-five scorers. In goal, Boston Bilous has played nine games, posting a 6-2-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and.922 save percentage.

Tuesday’s game will be available on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

M. Henry, D. Esau, R. McNinch

J. Southgate, H. Doell, Z. Florence

E. Scriven, E. Wurst, S. Kesslering

T. Klimpke, B. Blake, KT Walters

Defencemen:

T. Gold, R. Little

S. Witt, J. Grill

E. Rask, T. Ewart

Goaltenders:

U. Roussel

M. Harroch

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1