Friday's game will mark the fifth installment of the season series between the North Stars and Broncos, with three of the first four being decided by just a single goal (BAT leads season series 3-1). (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry Renewed

North Stars host Broncos to open pivotal weekend series

Mar 8, 2024 | 1:30 PM

With just four games to go on their regular season schedule, the Battlefords North Stars return to home ice Friday night at the Access Communications Centre, to open their biggest weekend of the season, against the division rival Humboldt Broncos.

Hosting the Broncos for the first game of what will be a home-and-home between the two sides Friday and Saturday night, the outcome of the weekend is all but assured to determine third overall in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings heading into the playoffs.

The North Stars enter play just a single point up on the Broncos for tops in the Nutrien Division and third overall, with a 33-14-5 record through 52 games, for 71 points. The Broncos are second in the division and fourth overall, with a 33-14-4 record through 51 games, to give them 70 points, while still holding an extra game in hand on the Battlefords.

The North Stars will receive a huge boost to the lineup Friday, with the return of top-line centerman Ben Portner, after missing the last two games due to illness. Portner is seventh in SJHL scoring with 65 points (26 goals, 39 assists) in 46 games this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The North Stars enter the weekend eager to snap a five-game skid, though with a level head, coming off their best game of late in last Saturday’s 5-4 OT loss to Melfort. The Broncos enter play red-hot, having won three in-a-row and eight of their last 10, coming off a decisive 6-2 victory over Estevan.

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Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said heading into Friday’s weekend opener, his team is looking forward to getting back out there to battle it out for all that’s at stake.

“Humboldt’s on a roll right now, they’re playing some good hockey, and it’s exciting to get back out here against a very good opponent and one we’re competing with,” Klimosko said. “I expect it to be very similar to the other games we’ve played [against them this year]; another intense matchup, and we could potentially play them down the line in the playoffs, so I think it’s going to be a good test on both sides.”

Headlining the weekend matchup will be a pair of head-to-head battles between players recently named amongst the SJHL year-end awards finalists.

Kian Bell of the North Stars, and Spencer Bell of the Broncos (no relation), are two of the three finalists for SJHL MVP and Forward of the Year. First and second in league scoring, Kian Bell leads all players with 86 points (33 goals, 53 assists) in just 38 games played, followed by Spencer Bell’s 77 points (41 goals, 36 assists) in 50 games, while the Broncos’ pivot’s 41 goals pace all players.

The other prominent head-to-head will feature Rookie of the Year finalists, Travis Bryson of the Broncos and Carson Olsen of the North Stars, who are likely to share the ice often.

Bryson leads all first-year players in goals (21) and points (51) in 47 games, having cemented himself as a go-to force within Humboldt’s offensive attack. Olsen’s 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 47 games are seventh amongst freshman, while playing top-pairing minutes against the opposition’s best alongside North Stars’ captain, Tanner Gold.

“It’s going to be a star-studded game and that’s what makes it exciting,” Klimosko said of the personnel matchups between the two sides. “It should bring a lot of people to the rink and that’s what Junior A hockey is all about, seeing those types of matchups. We’re looking forward to it, the fans will be looking forward to it, and it should be a playoff-like atmosphere here tonight.”

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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