Forward, Emmett Wurst has been a key cog for the North Stars this season, facing off against top opposition on a regular basis, while also contributing nine points in 12 games this year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry Night

North Stars welcome Broncos to town for divisional heavyweight showdown

Oct 29, 2021 | 3:00 PM

It’s rivalry night at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford.

The Battlefords North Stars will return to play Friday night, as they welcome the divisional foe, Humboldt Broncos to town for what promises to be among the biggest games of the season thus far.

Head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said heading into the fourth game of a season-series that the Broncos lead 2-games-to-1, Friday serves as a valuable way to make up points atop the division.

“It’s obviously a big one here, and seeing as Humboldt won the last two [in the season series], we’ve got to be ready here tonight,” Klimosko said. “Overall I like the work ethic of our group, I just think we need a little bit more. We just need some guys to step up and score those big goals when we need them.”

The Stars enter play this weekend looking to kick a two-game slide (0-1-1), as they currently sit second in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division – and fifth overall in the league standings – with an 8-4-2 record, giving them 18 points on the season.

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Humboldt meanwhile, have won four-straight and currently occupy top spot of the division, and second overall, with a 10-4-0 record. The Broncos’ 20 points sit just two up on the Battlefords, essentially meaning top spot in the division is on the line, Friday.

On special teams, the Stars hold a marginal advantage on the power play, clicking at just over 21 per cent, while the Broncos are at just over 20 per cent. However, it is on the penalty kill where the Battlefords will be looking to improve.

While Humboldt are just under 87 per cent effective on the kill, the North Stars uncharacteristically sit 12th of the league’s 12 teams with a penalty kill percentage of just over 74 per cent.

Together the teams will have no shortage of star power on the ice at any given time, as the North Stars and Broncos have combined for seven of the league’s top 15 scorers – or nearly half of the top 15 between the two clubs.

Humboldt’s Logan Kurki and Connor McGrath sit atop the scoring race with 21 points apiece, while Alec Saretzky (16 points) and Braiden Koran (15 points) also provide the team top end production.

The Stars’ Jake Southgate is fourth in league scoring with 18 points to lead the Battlefords, while Steven Kesslering (16 points), and Dylan Esau (15 points) fill out the team’s top three scorers, all from different forward lines.

Another name for the Battlefords who may well be in the top 15, if not for missed time of late due to illness, is Dace Prymak. The shifty 20-year-old forward will draw back in the lineup for the Stars, after missing the last three games (and five total this year).

Prymak, who has 11 points in nine games, scored a hattrick in his last performance, Oct. 16 versus La Ronge.

In goal, former Bronco, Michael Harroch will get the start for the Stars. Harroch started his junior career with Humboldt, playing 21 games with the team during the 2019-20 season.

Harroch stopped all 37 shots he faced in his Stars’ debut versus Yorkton last weekend, and enters play with a 0.00 goals-against average and 1.000 save percentage.

Race Ramsay is the likely starter for the Broncos. Already with 13 appearances through his team’s first 14 games, Ramsay enters play with a 10-3 record, 2.29 goals-against average, and .923 save percentage.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast Friday, will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

J. Southgate, H. Doell, Z. Florence

E. Wurst, D. Prymak, S. Kesslering

M. Henry, D. Esau, R. McNinch

R. Kenyon, B. Blake, K. Klein

Defencemen:

E. Johns, R. Little

S. Witt, T. Gold

T. Ewart, E. Rask

Goaltenders:

M. Harroch

U. Roussel

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1