Braden Nienaber and his North Stars' teammates will face Melfort for just the second time this season Wednesday, looking to avenge a 4-1 Mustangs win in the first meeting of the season series. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

On quest for 11th straight

North Stars travel to Melfort for Wednesday night showdown

Nov 22, 2023 | 12:47 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to play Wednesday night in Melfort, looking to stay red-hot and extend their league-high winning streak to 11 straight.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and second overall in the league standings with a 16-6-0-1 record through 23 games. Currently in the midst of a 10-game winning streak, the North Stars are coming off back-to-back victories in La Ronge over the weekend, 5-4 and 4-3 respectively.

The Mustangs enter play second in the Sherwood Division and fourth overall in the league standings, with a 13-7-2-0 record through 22 games. Sitting just five points back of the North Stars, Melfort is coming off an 8-1 victory over Yorkton on Saturday.

The North Stars are led into play by their newly minted top line of Kian Bell, Ben Portner, and Brayden Sinclair. United for the first time last game, the three showed immediate chemistry, combining for nine points, as Bell scored a goal and two assists, Portner had three assists, and Sinclair potted a pair of goals and a helper.

Bell leads the North Stars with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 10 games this season, while Portner has 26 (eight goals, 18 assists) in 20 games, and Sinclair has 17 (eight goals, nine assists) in 17 games.

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The Mustangs are led offensively by their own dynamic top-line trio of Ryan Duguay (34 points in 21 games), Zac Somers (16 points in 13 games), and Aidyn Hutchinson (19 points in 16 games).

Duguay’s 18 goals and 34 points lead the entire SJHL, with the 20-year-old coming off an incredible six-point game Saturday, which saw him register three goals and three assists. Somers has missed the Mustangs’ last two games, though will be at the top of the list of Melfort players to watch should he make his return, Wednesday.

Both teams feature top five offenses in the league with the North Stars’ 4.6 goals per-game ranking second, and the Mustangs’ 4.1, fourth. Defensively, the Stars’ 3.04 goals against per game are third fewest, followed by Melfort’s 72 (3.27) in fifth.

In goal, the North Stars will start Joey Hawco. Hawco is 6-3-0-0 with a 3.26 goals against average and .894 save percentage, coming off a 29/30 save performance in his last start last Thursday against Weyburn.

Melfort are likely to give the nod to starter James Venne. In 20 games this season, Venne is 13-4-0-2 with a 2.83 goals against average and .904 save percentage.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available Wednesday night on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars travel to Melfort for Wednesday night showdown

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