The North Stars and Klippers will face-off in Kindersley Wednesday night, marking the final pre-season matchup between the two sides, ahead of their opening weekend home-and-home clash to kick-start the regular season, Sept. 22 and 23. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Pre-season continues

North Stars face Klippers for preview of season opener

Sep 13, 2023 | 4:16 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to pre-season action Wednesday night in Kindersley, facing the division rival Klippers for the final time ahead of opening weekend.

Wednesday’s showdown will serve as the team’s fourth exhibition game in as many nights, with just one more to come after, prior to the start of the regular season.

The Stars will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the pre-season Tuesday night, which saw the team fall 4-3 to the Humboldt Broncos in Humboldt, in a game the Stars led 3-1 into the final three minutes of play.

Head coach, Brayden Klimosko said outside of a tough end to the game and bit of a slow start, there was still lots to like about the way the team battled in the contest.

“It was a tough first period, it took us a little bit to get adjusted and everything, but I thought our second and third were reasonable and overall liked the way we played,” he said.

Russia-Ukraine War

In a first, President Biden gives green light for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia

18h ago

Helping hand

Big red sleigh brings holiday spirit to kick off Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund

Nov 16, 2024

Battlefords North Stars

Big performance from Maric ends Red Wings win streak

Nov 16, 2024

“We competed hard and we didn’t get the result we wanted but the adjustment [to pace of play] is big. Obviously, you see Humboldt has been practicing a little bit more than we have and it showed as they were just that much more polished than we were.”

Through the first two games of exhibition play since Sunday’s Rookie Game, the Stars have seen a nice mix of veterans and first-year players contributing. In Monday’s game against La Ronge, first-year Ben Portner scored the team’s first goal, while returning vets Riley Girod and Jordan Grill also pitched in with goals for the team.

Tuesday it was similar, as returnees, Jackson Allan and Brad Blake each cashed in, along with reigning Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League MVP, Lleyton McLean.

Klimosko said that range of scoring from different sources also bodes well heading into the start of the year.

“We’re going to need different scorers [throughout the season] and it’s been a good start,” he said. “I know overall, Chilly (assistant coach, Garry Childerhose) and I are really excited to work with these guys and it’ll be another good test tonight as Kindersley’s going to have pretty much their full squad in, so it’ll really show where we’re kind of at as a team.”

Goaltenders Joey Hawco and Cedric Cyr-Dauphinais are expected to split time in the Stars’ crease Wednesday, as the team has done with their goaltenders through each pre-season game so far.

Wednesday’s game will begin with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. The North Stars pre-season will not be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The radio broadcasts will begin with the start of the regular season, Sept. 22.

North Stars pre-season schedule at a glance:

Sept. 10: Kindersley Klippers @ Battlefords North Stars (Rookie Game) 8-4 North Stars

Sept. 11: La Ronge Ice Wolves @ Battlefords North Stars at Flying Dust First Nation 3-1 North Stars

Sept. 12: Battlefords North Stars @ Humboldt Broncos, 7 p.m. start 4-3 Broncos

Sept. 13: Battlefords North Stars @ Kindersley Klippers, 7:30 p.m. start

Sept. 17: Battlefords North Stars @ La Ronge Ice Wolves, 3 p.m. start

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1