North Stars kick off parent/billet weekend, as Mustangs come to town

Head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said Melfort provides another strong opponent the team will need to be ready for, Friday.

“It’s not going to get any easier tonight, but we should be feeling good, with another good test as Melfort beat us last time,” Klimosko said. “So it should be a good challenge.”

Players to watch

Perhaps it’s only fitting that parent/billet weekend will kick off with a brotherly matchup featuring two of the league’s premier players, in Holden and Nolan Doell.

Holden sits fifth in Stars scoring this season with 28 points, despite playing just 31 of the team’s 39 games so far. With goals in back-to-back outings the younger Doell has lit the lamp four times in his last six games overall.

Nolan meanwhile, is tied for the Mustangs team lead in scoring with 43 points. With three goals over his last four games, his team-leading 26 sits third overall in the league goal scoring race this year.

The return of Willson Steele only bolsters the North Stars blue line for the stretch drive this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

On the backend, the Stars will also receive a shot in the arm, as 19-year-old defenceman, Wilson Steele will make his much-anticipated return to the lineup, after missing the last three months with an upper body injury, sustained Oct. 23.

“It’s almost like when you when you get your winter coat out and find a $50 bill in the pocket; it feels like you’re up 50 bucks,” Klimosko said of the rearguard’s return. “It’s a big boost and not having him around for so long, it’s like acquiring him at the trade deadline without having to give up anything.”

Steele, who had six points in nine games prior to injury, will line up alongside Tynan Ewart on the Stars blue line. Ewart has three goals, 10 points over his last eight games, and currently sits third overall in defenceman scoring this year with 27 points.

Special teams

The North Stars lay claim to the second best power play in the league heading into Friday, converting on just under 24 per cent of their total chances this year. Melfort ranks fifth, at just under 22 per cent effectiveness with the man advantage.

On the penalty kill, the Mustangs’ 84 per cent success rate is fourth, while the Stars’ 79 per cent ranks eighth overall.

Goaltending

Michael Harroch will get the nod for the Stars Friday, coming off a lights out performance Tuesday night, that saw him stop all 39 shots he faced against his former team in Humboldt.

In 19 games this year, the Stars’ starter has posted an 11-3-3 record, along with a 2.78 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.

James Venne is likely to get the start for Melfort. In 23 games this year, the rookie netminder is 11-5-3, with a 2.71 goals-against average and .895 save percentage.

Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast 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, R. McNinch

K. Klein, D. Esau, S. Kesslering

Z. Florence, D. Prymak, C. Bear

M. Henry, B. Blake, E. Scriven

Defenceman:

E. Rask, R. Little

S. Witt, T. Gold

W. Steele, T. Ewart

Goaltenders:

M. Harroch

A. Schwab

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars kick off parent/billet weekend, as Mustangs come to town

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