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Jackson Allan of the North Stars and Logan Cox of the Klippers, pictured here on the faceoff. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
By Martin Martinson
Rivalry Renewed

North Stars kick off final weekend ahead of holidays, in Kindersley

Dec 15, 2023 | 1:15 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday night in Kindersley, to open their final weekend home-and-home ahead of the holidays, with their division rival Kindersley Klippers.

Just the third game of six in the season series, Friday’s showdown will be the first between the North Stars and Klippers since opening weekend on Sept. 22 and 23, with the teams taking a win apiece in those first two meetings.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and third overall in the SJHL standings with a 20-7-2-1 record through 30 games, with their 43 points just a single back of second-place Melfort. Having picked up at least a single point in each of their last six, the North Stars are coming off a 7-4 win over Notre Dame in their last game, Tuesday.

Kindersley is third in the division and sixth overall in the league standings with a 13-13-2-2 record through 30 games, and with 30 points sits tied with fifth-place Nipawin. The Klippers are coming off a 5-0 win over Notre Dame Wednesday, heading into their final game on home ice ahead of the break.

Riley Girod of the North Stars enters the weekend with eight points in his last 10 games, and 24 (nine goals, 15 assists) in 29 games this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
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Friday’s matchup will feature two of the top three players in rookie scoring this season.

Kindersley’s Keenan Ingram paces all first-year players with 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 28 games this year, having been held scoreless in just two of his last 13 games, with 11 goals and 17 points over the stretch, dating back to mid-November.

Rylan Williams was the lone North Stars player to score a pair of goals in the team’s 7-4 win earlier this week and enters play third in rookie scoring with 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 28 games. Over his last 15, dating back to late October, Williams has scored nine goals and 20 points.

The North Stars do hold a slight edge in special teams’ play heading into the weekend series, as the Battlefords are just over 22 per cent on the power play this year (fifth in SJHL) and 80 per cent on the penalty kill (fourth). Kindersley is just under 21 per cent on the PP (eighth) and 78 per cent on the PK (eighth).

North Stars’ goaltender Logan Cunningham is expected to make his second straight start between the pipes, following a 32-save win in his debut Wednesday. Cunningham enters the weekend 1-0-0 with a 4.00 goals against average and a .889 save percentage.

Kindersley could start either Cody Jaman or Logan Falk. Jaman is coming off a 35-save shutout Tuesday and has posted an 8-7-1-0 record with a 3.36 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage this year. Falk is 5-6-1-2 with a 3.86 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage.

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

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

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