The Battlefords AAA Stars have 11 games left on their regular season schedule featuring two games in the next three nights as part of a six game homestand. The Stars will then play four straight at home before ending the schedule in Saskatoon against the Blazers. Here, the Stars are gearing up for a home game against the Saskatoon Contacts on Jan. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

End is near

AAA Stars heating up as they make turn down final stretch

Jan 29, 2026 | 4:19 PM

The Battlefords AAA Stars are looking to stick to their winning ways following back-to-back wins over the Saskatoon Contacts last week.

The Stars currently sit eighth in the Sask. Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) standings and continue to battle for position in the playoffs. The fourth and eighth seeds are separated by just 10 points as the Battlefords have 11 games to go on the schedule to make up some ground. 

While the Stars are 3-3-1-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in the month of January, Stars head coach Martin Smith knows how crucial every point is and says the team is trending upwards heading into the home stretch of the season. 

“This time of year, every game is so important. I thought the team showed a lot of character in both teams against Saskatoon. We were down going into the third in both games and came out with strong third periods and pulled out the victory in both. I thought that the team continues to develop and progress in the right direction.” 

Smith added that after the team lost five straight heading into the two-game set against the Contacts, a pair of comeback victories really helps the guys figure out their identity. 

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“I think the players don’t realize how good a team we have. I think that those two comeback ins show that when we play the right way, we can have some success. It’s huge for our confidence and I can see them starting to believe in themselves a lot more. If we use our speed and we continue to be tough to play against, the biggest thing is taking care of our own end.” 

With every game as important as they are, the Stars are trying to take a playoff mentality into every single game.

“I like that situation because we’ve got to play playoff hockey to get into the playoffs. If you’re already playing playoff hockey when the playoff stars, if you can get in sometimes that bodes well for you.”

In those games, every individual’s role also grows to be more important by the game. 

“The players realize where their role is heading into the stretch here and going into the playoffs. If you have a line that you need to go out there and play 30-40 second shifts and show some energy, that line knows their role and they can focus on that. If they score, it’s a bonus but it’s all about momentum changes.” 

The Stars return to action on Thursday night when they visit the Saskatoon Blazers for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com