Tanner Gold has been a standout for the Stars through their first two games on the national stage, with a goal and an assist in addition to his stalwart defensive play against the opposition's best. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Centennial Cup action

North Stars look for quick bounce back against tournament host, Terriers

May 15, 2023 | 3:38 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to round robin play at the Centennial Cup Monday night, when they play the host, Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Monday’s game against Portage will mark the Stars’ third of four total through round robin play. The team split their first two games, with a 4-1 win over the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) champion, Kam River Fighting Walleye, before falling 3-1 to the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) champion, Collingwood Blues Saturday.

Monday will also mark the North Stars’ first evening game, as a 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan start, after their first two games were 10:30 a.m. starts to open two of the first three days.

Portage enter play a perfect 2-0 on the tournament with a 4-2 win over the MJHL champion Steinbach Pistons, followed by a 12-2 victory over Kam River, through their opening two games.

After finishing the MJHL regular season a league-high 43-11-1-3 in 58 games, the Terriers’ playoff run came to an end in heartbreaking fashion during the league semifinals. They lost in double overtime of Game 7 to the sixth-seeded Virden Oil Capitals, leading the team on somewhat of a mission to make amends in their bid for a national title on home ice.

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Head coach of the North Stars Brayden Klimosko said heading into their third game of the tournament, against a red-hot Portage team, the Stars will need to ramp up their intensity and bring their best.

“We did a good job elevating our game in the playoffs, and we need to take it one step further and elevate it at this tournament,” Klimosko said. “We’re going to have to [have distain for] our opponent, and learn to do that early and often. Portage are a good team that seems revitalized in front of the home crowd, so we want to take the crowd out of it as soon as possible.”

A big part of that goal will be establishing a strong forecheck early, as Portage were right there with the Stars amongst the most lethal blue lines in the Canadian Junior Hockey League this year. The storyline will take centre stage in Monday’s matchup.

The North Stars scored an SJHL-best 218 points from defencemen during the regular season, as the only SJHL team to have four 30-plus point scorers from the backend. That includes Top Defenceman Award winner Tynan Ewart (56 points in 55 games), Zane Florence (31 points in 50 games), Tanner Gold (30 in 49), and Jordan Gibbs (30 in 51).

Portage scored an MJHL-high 232 points from their backend, with three of their top five scorers from the defence position. Hayden Lacquette (54 points in 54 games) and Brandon McCartney (54 in 56) tied for the league-lead in scoring at the position, while Top Defenceman nominee and Terriers captain Kian Calder also added 42 points in 57 games. Matt McLeod had 30 in 56 games.

Terriers’ forward Ryan Botterill, who finished first in MJHL goals (45) and second in points (73) in 57 games during the regular season, currently leads the tournament with three goals, tied with teammates Rory Neill and Calder.

Austin Peters, who finished second in Terriers’ scoring with 62 points in 53 games is also a player to watch, as his six points are tied for a tournament-best with Neill.

The North Stars are led this tournament by 40-goal scorer and playoff MVP, Steven Kesslering, who has two goals and three points through the Stars’ opening two games.

Between the pipes, Josh Kotai and Terriers’ goalie Bailey Monteith will get the starts for their respective teams.

Kotai is 1-1 on the tournament with a 2.00 goals against average and .931 save percentage. Monteith is 2-0 with a 2.00 and .935.

Monday’s game will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 6:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1