Forward, Zane Normand (#4) leads the AAA Stars with 27 points this year. A key playmaker on the club, the 16-year-old also leads the team in assists with 19 on the campaign. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars Surging

AAA Stars see weekend games postponed, amid playoff push

Jan 20, 2022 | 1:59 PM

Coming off back-to-back victories over Estevan and Saskatoon, the Battlefords U18 AAA Stars will see their schedule hit a brief pause this weekend, as the team’s two-game series with the Tisdale Trojans has been postponed, due to COVID protocol.

The Stars, who were scheduled to host their northeast rivals for games Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 22 and 23), will instead see those games moved to a later date still to be determined, likely in early March to end the season.

The postponement comes at a tough time for the local AAA team, as the Stars have been playing some of their best hockey of late. The team’s latest win came in thrilling overtime fashion, completing a comeback from down 2-0 in the second, and 3-2 in the third, to defeat Saskatoon 4-3 in the extra frame.

Head coach of the Stars, Dale Grayston said while it’s unfortunate to have to postpone for the weekend, the team should be feeling good about their game heading into the fresh week ahead, following their recent play.

“I think the confidence is rising in the players, as we’re starting to play pretty consistently,” he said. “We know we have the 10 games left in the season to reach the playoffs, so every game now we’re kind of treating like the playoffs ahead of the [real] postseason, and I think the guys are up to the challenge to make it in the top eight.”

Building on strong season

AAA Sharks supplement core with key summer signings

4h ago

Bandits Softball

U19 Bandits open season with gold in Alberta

May 15, 2024

Community walk

Walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women raises awareness of 'Stolen Sisters'

May 15, 2024

The Stars (11-19-4) sit ninth overall, just three points back of the eighth-place Swift Current Legionnaires, for the final playoff spot as it currently stands.

Grayston added that a big part of the team’s success of late has also been due to the example set by their leadership group – as captains, Nate Monchuk and Kobie Anderson and assistants, Ryan Taylor and Jakin Lawrence, have all elevated their game for the playoff push.

“In the last five games, Kobie is leading the team in scoring and Jakin has been right there too,” Grayston said. “I think you look at your leadership group at times like this, and to see Nate back consistently in the lineup now, after having an injury earlier in the season, and Ryan, who has also given us a real lift back there, that’s really helped us gel the team and we’re really proud of all those guys.”

Anderson scored a goal and three points in the comeback win over Estevan, with five points in his last two games. Lawrence has added three goals over his last two as well, while Monchuk has two goals and four points over his last three from the blue line.

The Stars will return to play Wednesday, Jan. 26, when the team host the Prince Albert Mintos at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford. Puck drop will be at 7:30 p.m.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1