Riley Girod of the North Stars lines up opposite Hounds' forward, Paul Bloomer. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Looking for bounce-back

North Stars travel to Notre Dame for Friday night matchup

Feb 9, 2024 | 2:06 PM

After wrapping up a six-game homestand at the ACC earlier in the week, the Battlefords North Stars will return to the road Friday night, for a divisional matchup with the Notre Dame Hounds, in Wilcox.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and second overall in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings, with a 31-9-3-1 record through 44 games. Coming off just their second regulation loss in their last 20 games, the North Stars will be eager to bounce back quickly from a 5-4 defeat to Yorkton on Tuesday.

The Hounds sit fourth in the division and 12^th overall in the league standings, with an 11-30-2-0 record through 43 games. Eager to snap a two-game skid, the Hounds are coming off a 5-1 loss to Flin Flon Wednesday.

The North Stars are led into play Friday by the three-headed monster of Kian Bell, Ben Portner, and Alex Izyk, who have absolutely torched the league on a scoring front as of late.

Bell is currently in the midst of an eight-game point streak that has seen him register eight goals and 22 points dating back to mid-January. He currently leads the league with 73 points (31 goals, 42 assists) in 30 games, while just two other players have eclipsed even the 60-point mark.

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Portner is on a nine-game point streak with 13 goals and 23 points over the span, coming off MVP and Forward of the Month honours for the month of January. Portner is currently fourth in scoring with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) in 40 games.

Izyk is coming off SJHL MVP of the Week honours, with at least a single point in seven of his last eight, having racked up five goals and 20 points on the streak. On the season, Izyk now sits just three points back of the defenceman scoring lead with 48 points (14 goals, 34 assists) in 40 games.

Notre Dame are led offensively by a game-breaker of their own in winger, Cole Wirun. Pacing the Hounds in goals (13) and points (31) in 31 games played, the product of Lethbridge, AB is sure to be front and center in his team’s attack.

Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available 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 Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1