Stars’ forward Matthias Urbanski has been on fire as of late for the North Stars, as the alternate captain enters action against the Ice Wolves Saturday having picked up seven points over his last two games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Play it again

North Stars look for repeat performance against Ice Wolves Saturday

Sep 28, 2019 | 12:52 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night in La Ronge for the second half of their back-to-back series with the Ice Wolves,

The North Stars defeated the Ice Wolves 4-1 last night. With the win, the team improved to 6-0 to start the season, and will look to try and keep the streak rolling.

The loss, meanwhile, snaps La Ronge’s two-game winning streak to enter the weekend, as the Wolves are now 2-6 through, hoping to grasp the proverbial shovel and start to dig their record out of an early hole once again.

For the Stars, Friday’s 4-1 victory improves the team’s offensive production total to 35 goals through six games. Fifteen different North Stars have now contributed for the team with at least a single goal so far.

Averaging just under six goals per-game, the North Stars have proven to have a shot-first mentality. With another 48 shots on goal Friday, the Stars have now bumped their average shots-per-game total to just under 42 pucks on goal a night.

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Up front, the veterans have continued to lead the way for the North Stars.

Twenty-year-old forward, Matthias Urbanski followed up his five-point performance Tuesday against Flin Flon, with a two-point game against the Ice Wolves Friday. Urbanski registered the game-winning goal, while also adding an assist in the effort as well.

Fellow returnee, Quintin Loon-Stewardson has also been at the forefront for the team offensively of late. Loon-Stewardson has arguably been the Stars’ top performer in each of the last two games, having picked up a goal and three points Friday, after notching a natural hattrick performance against the Bombers Tuesday.

On the back end, the North Stars will be without one of their key veterans for the second-straight game this evening.

Twenty-year-old blue liner, Dylan McCabe missed Friday night’s contest with a lower body injury, and remains out of action for the team Saturday.

More a precautionary measure than anything, McCabe is currently listed as day-to-day, and could likely return to the team as early as Tuesday, when the team travels to Yorkton.

Undoubtedly a large blow to the back end, in the meantime however, McCabe’s absence from the lineup leaves a hole to be filled by committee by the Stars’ defence.

The adversity provides opportunity for some of the younger blue liners to step into a more pronounced role on the back end.

Rookie rearguard Timon Prexler, who filled in alongside Noah Form within the top four Friday did an admirable job with the additional minutes. Tonight, as Prexler comes out of the lineup, fellow first-year blue liner Walter Somers will come in to join Liam Antoniuk and Jordan Gagnon as the rookie-contingent vying to make the most of their added responsibilities as well.

Between the pipes, Stars’ goaltender Adam Dmyterko will tag out Parker Rey in the Battlefords’ crease Saturday evening.

Rey was all but unstoppable Friday, allowing just a single goal-against on 33 shots to help lead the Stars to victory. Dmyterko, who will return to the crease for the team Saturday evening, has also been nothing short of remarkable through his opening four starts.

Dmyterko has posted a flawless 4-0 record, along with a sparkling 2.25 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Dmyterko should only benefit from having last night off as well, returning to the Battlefords’ crease well rested and hungry to keep the team’s undefeated streak alive.

At the other end, La Ronge is likely to swap netminders from Friday night as well.

Rookie goaltender Liam McGarva stopped 44 of the Stars’ 47 shots Friday night to keep his team in the game right to the final few minutes of the third.

Fellow first-year goalie Steven Bacovsky will likely get the nod this evening.

In three starts with the Ice Wolves this season, the Calgary, AB., product, Bacovsky has posted a 3.71 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.

Saturday night’s game will be broadcast on 93.3 The Rock. The Ultra-Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on the NAPA North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:
M. Urbanski, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, C. Reagan, R. Nivon

K. Boser, B. Gammer, D. Esau

S. Kesslering, D. Prymak, L. Spence

Defencemen:

N. Form, W. Somers

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

L. Antoniuk, J. Gagnon

Goaltenders:

A. Dmyterko

P. Rey

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1