North Stars' forward, Ben Portner enters play Friday with 16 goals and 30 points in his last 15 games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Second place on the line

North Stars host Mustangs for heavyweight tilt this weekend

Mar 1, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to home ice at the Access Communications Centre Friday, to open their biggest weekend of the season, with the first night of what will be a back-to-back with the Melfort Mustangs.

Separated by just a single point in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, the outcome of the weekend series will determine which team holds the inside track to earning the second seed overall heading into the postseason, with just six games remaining for each side on their regular season schedule.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and second overall with a 33-13-4 record through 50 games, for 70 points in the standings. Coming off a tough weekend that saw the team post an 0-and-3 record over their final multi-game road trip of the season, the Battlefords will be eager to snap their skid and get back in the win column.

The Mustangs are second in the Sherwood Division and third overall, with a 33-14-3 record through 50 games, giving the team 69 points. Melfort enters play Friday looking to stay red-hot having won four straight, including most recently, a 7-4 victory Wednesday night over Estevan.

“It’s a big one for sure, and we’re excited about it,” North Stars’ head coach, Brayden Klimosko said of the weekend matchup. “It’s going to be a battle and it’s going to be fun. It’s two of the better D-cores in the league, that obviously pack some offensive punch as well. I don’t think they’ve seen our best yet, so we’re looking forward to bringing that tonight.”

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The North Stars and Mustangs feature the two highest-scoring blue lines in the SJHL this season, as the Battlefords have generated a league-best 173 points from defensemen, while Melfort has 169, still over 20 more than any other team.

Up front, the North Stars also boast the league’s highest-scoring duo, in Kian Bell and Ben Portner, who have combined for 147 points this year. Bell paces all players with 82 points (32 goals, 50 assists) in just 36 games, while Portner sits sixth with 65 points (26 goals, 39 assists) in 46 games.

Melfort counter a dynamic duo of their own in recently-named SJHL Forward of the Month, Aidyn Hutchinson, and Saskatchewan Player of the Month, Clay Sleeva. Hutchinson sits fourth in scoring with 66 points (30 goals, 36 assists), thanks to a four-goal, six-point outing earlier in the week versus Estevan. Sleeva has 50 points (18 goals, 32 points) in 47 games, coming off a five-point night with a goal and four helpers.

This weekend’s back-to-back will mark the final two installments of the season series between the North Stars and Mustangs this year. Melfort took each of the two previous matchups, prior to Christmas, by 3-1 and 4-1 scores.

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

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