Jackson Allan and his North Stars' teammates will face off with the Estevan Bruins for the first time this season, Friday night at Affinity Place. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars vs. Bruins

North Stars strive for quick response as trip resumes in Estevan

Oct 27, 2023 | 3:59 PM

Coming off a 10-5 loss in Weyburn to open their three-game road trip Thursday, the Battlefords North Stars will get a chance to bounce right back and respond quickly on night two of the trip Friday night in Estevan, in their first matchup of the season with the Estevan Bruins.

The North Stars (6-6-0-1) enter play second in the Nutrien Division and sixth overall in the league standings with 13 points through 13 games played.

Tied in points with seventh place Nipawin, and just a single point back of fifth-place Melville (who do hold four games in hand), every point matters in the thick of the league standings as the top four of Flin Flon (25 points), Humboldt (19 points), Melfort (18 points), and Weyburn (17 points) begin to separate from the pack.

The Bruins (4-5-0-2) sit third in the Viterra Division and eighth overall in the standings with 10 points, though they do hold two games in hand on the Battlefords, having played just 11 so far. Estevan will be looking to build on a big 3-2 overtime win Wednesday night in Humboldt, as the team has collected three of a possible four points over their last two games.

The much-anticipated return of defending SJHL MVP and scoring champ, Kian Bell to the North Stars’ lineup Thursday played immediate dividends for the club, as the Fall River NS., product picked up three assists in his season debut for the team.

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Bell’s presence has proven especially valuable for the North Stars’ power play, which entered the trip 12^th in the league capitalizing at just 11.5 percent, before scoring a pair of power play markers, both assisted by the dynamic winger.

Jordan Grill, who scored a power play goal and added an assist on the other, is also coming off a strong performance to open the trip and leads the Battlefords in scoring this season with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 13 games.

Quickly establishing himself amongst the premier power forwards in the league, Grill’s mix of offensive prowess and physical play should make him a handful against an Estevan blue line featuring just three players six-feet or taller.

The Bruins are led into play by captain, Keegan Little, who is coming off a two-assist performance – which included setting up the game winner – in the Bruins’ overtime victory over Humboldt earlier in the week. In 11 games this season, Little has eight points (two goals, six assists), having played some of his best hockey as of late.

In goal, the North Stars will start Joey Hawco, coming off a 12-save effort in relief Thursday. In seven games this season, Hawco is 3-3-0 with a 3.86 goals against average and .887 save percentage.

Estevan are likely to start veteran Cam Hrdlicka. A finalist for the SJHL’s Top Goaltender a season ago, Hrdlicka is 3-3-0-1 through seven games with a 3.39 goals against average and .900 save percentage.

Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1