North Stars' forward Kian Bell was recently named the SJHL’s Forward of the Month for December, scoring seven goals and 14 points in five games last month. The Fall River NS., product enters the New Year second in SJHL scoring with 51 points (23 goals, 28 assists) in just 19 games played. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

in search of fourth straight

North Stars kick off New Year in Estevan

Jan 6, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Fresh off a three-week break for the holidays, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night in Estevan for their first game of 2024, against the Estevan Bruins.

Marking the fourth instalment of the season series between the last two Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) champions, the North Stars are 2-0-1-0 against the Bruins this season, though Estevan did take the most recent clash, a 5-4 overtime thriller in early December.

The North Stars (22-7-2-1) enter play first in the Nutrien Division and third overall in the league standings, with 47 points. Sitting just two back of second place Melfort, the Stars have won three straight, while securing at least a single point in each of their last eight.

Head coach, Brayden Klimosko said the team is looking forward to getting back on the ice in game action after getting a bit of a recharge.

“It’s exciting to get back at it; it’s been a long break but we needed it as it’s been a long grind [through the first half], and now it’s time to play some hockey again and get back into it and we’re looking forward to it,” the Battlefords’ bench-boss stated. “Estevan will be a good opponent tonight and we’re going to need our best.”

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The Bruins (13-15-0-2) enter the evening second in the Viterra Division and eighth overall in the league standings with 28 points, to sit smack dab in the middle of the playoff race. Just two points back of sixth-place Weyburn and two ahead of ninth-place Melville, the team will be desperate to snap a three-game skid to remain in a playoff position.

Headlining Saturday’s matchup will be a pair of the league’s premier two-way defensemen in North Stars’ captain, Tanner Gold and Bruins’ veteran, Felix Allard.

Gold sits fourth overall in defenseman scoring with 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 29 games, while Allard sits fifth with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 30 games. Both are coming off multi-point efforts in the teams’ most recent meeting, as Gold tallied a pair of goals (including the game-tying marker to force OT), and Allard added a goal and an assist to hit double-digit goals on the season.

Special teams play was at the forefront of the teams’ last meeting, with each side scoring three power play goals apiece. On the season, the North Stars are 23 percent on the power play (fourth overall) and 80 percent on the penalty kill (fourth), while Estevan are 20 percent on the PP (seventh) and 76 percent on the PK (ninth).

Between the pipes, North Stars’ goaltender Logan Cunningham is expected to make his fourth straight start since joining the team. Having posted a 3-0-0-0 record to start his tenure in the Battlefords, Cunningham has posted a 2.33 goals against average and .919 save percentage.

At the other end, Jackson Miller can be expected to make the start for the Bruins, after receiving the nod for each of the prior three games of the season series. Miller is 4-5-0-1 this season, with a 3.53 goals against average and .887 save percentage.

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

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1