The Battlefords North Stars will take on the Melfort Mustangs in the first round of the SJHL playoffs. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

PLAYOFF TIME

Battlefords North Stars look to prevent three-peat in the first round matchup with the Melfort Mustangs

Mar 19, 2026 | 6:01 AM

It took the very last day of the Sask. Junior Hockey League (SJHL) regular season to nail everything into place, but the season has come to an end and the playoff matchups are set. 

After finishing third in the league with a record of 35-15-4-3 (W-L-OTL-SOL), the North Stars are set to face off with the back-to-back SJHL champion Melfort Mustangs in the opening round of the playoffs. 

It’s a tough test for the North Stars, who went 1-2-0-1 against the Mustangs this season, as Melfort is arguably the hottest team in the league. In their last 24 games of the season, the Mustangs had a record of 19-4-1-0 which included a 12-game winning streak to finish the year with a 30-22-2-2 record. 

Despite that, the North Stars are up for the challenge. 

“This is a matchup that we wanted. I’m sure they wanted as well. Two great teams, two teams that have had a lot of success after Christmas,” said North Stars head coach Connor Logan. “Stylistically, there’s a contrast there…we’re a fast team, we’re an offensive team. They’re a team that’s got some size and (is) really good defensively, so it should be fun. I know there’s going to be a lot of adversity through the series for both teams.”

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After a cold start to the season, Logan isn’t surprised the Mustangs have finished off well and got to the position they have. 

“Their coaches have had a ton of success in this league. Their team’s had a ton of success. I think it’s no shock that they’ve put it together and dug in and gotten to the point where they’re at,” he said.  

“They rely on their experience as well. They have seven 20-year-olds that have all won championships. So, it’s an incredible opportunity for us to test ourselves and validate how we feel.” 

Logan knows it could be a battle on the bench with Mustangs head coach Trevor Blevins, who has won four SJHL championships, including the last two. 

“Over the last two years, they haven’t lost a playoff series. So, I know that he’s comfortable in those situations. He’s going to be calm in the way that he approaches those adjustments. For me as a young guy, I got to be sharp. I got to keep my eyes peeled.” 

With the game naturally getting more physical come playoff time, Logan says his squad can thrive in that environment.  

“Our guys have that competitive spirit and they’re not afraid to show it. It’s gotten us into some pretty intense battles against Kindersley, Humboldt and Flin Flon, and some of these other teams. So wouldn’t expect anything different. Melfort handles those types of games good as well.” 

A positive for the North Stars can also be their diverse lineup when it comes to their skillset. 

“We have guys that can score, guys that can make plays. Guys who can play physical, we got a lot of speed. We got some size (and) we got some smaller guys. There’s been an ongoing narrative of, which North Star player it is this month that’s turned it up,” said Logan. 

Leaning into the junior hockey playoff tradition, the North Stars are all bleaching their hair for the postseason, something that is seen as a team bonding experience heading into the most important time of the year.

“I think it shows your belief as well. It shows that our guys are here to put their feet in the spot, and we don’t plan on moving for a while here. We expect to go far, and we have a belief that we can win a championship.” 

A big narrative in this series could be the play of North Stars forward Owen Nelson, and Mustangs forward Dru Mushumanski, who were traded for each other during the season. Nelson had 31 points (15G-16A) in 38 games since being traded to the North Stars. 

On the other side, Mushumanski had 25 points (1G-19A) in 35 games with the Mustangs. 

Mushumanski leads the Mustangs in points in head-to-head matchups with the North Stars, putting up four assists in just two games played. 

In total, defenceman Bo Eisner leads the Mustangs in points with 44 (53GP-13G-31A), while Danton Cox is a pair of poins behind him with 42 (49GP-9G-33A). Zayden Sadlemeyer has the most goals on the team with 17. 

For the North Stars, Kobe Sawyer leads in points when facing the Mustangs with five points (3G-2A) in four games. In total, Anthony Campbell led the North Stars in points, scoring 57 points (51G-22G-35A). Josh Knittig was a point behind Campbell with 56 (53GP-20G-36A). North Stars rookie Finlay Klippenstein led the team and league rookies with 26 goals. 

(Image Credit: SJHL.ca)

Game 1 between the North Stars and Mustangs is on March 20 at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford. Puck drop is at 7:30 on CJNB/CJNS. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com