North Stars and Ice Wolves set for part two of back-to-back showdown tonight

The Ice Wolves will be hoping to avenge Friday’s one-goal loss that saw the team outshoot the Battlefords 38-24 by night’s end, nearly overcoming a four-goal deficit on the evening.

Friday night marked just the second time the Stars have been outshot in a game this season, as the team is averaging just under forty shots per-contest this year.

The North Stars will look to get back on the positive side of the shot count Saturday.

With offensive dynamo, Matthias Urbanski still sidelined with a lower body injury, Rylan Nivon will remain to the left of the Loon-Stewardson brothers this evening. Outside of that, however, the lineup will see a host of changes from just a night ago.

Perhaps looking to shake things up a bit, sophomore forward, Dylan Esau will shift onto the Gammer, Becker unit tonight up front.

The trio will look to reignite their chemistry from last season when the three were regular linemates for the Stars throughout the back-half of the campaign, and on through the Stars’ playoff run.

Esau will provide additional speed and another scoring threat who can generate both on the rush, or off the cycle game. The 18-year-old has shown a penchant for getting his shot away quickly this season, something that should mix well with the shifty Gammer-Becker pair.

Rookie centerman, Ryland McNinch, who registered his third goal of the season Friday for the team, will move up from the fourth line, to the pivot position on unit three.

Flanked by Kaden Boser and Steven Kesslering, the line should provide a little bit of everything for the team. Boser’s shot and size should slot in nicely with the tenacious Kesslering, and on-ice vision of McNinch between the two.

On the back end, the Stars have already seen two blue liners take home SJHL Defenceman of the Week honours this season, with Matthew Fletcher and Noah Form being selected three of the last four weeks.

Although Saturday will be just the second game this week for the team, rearguards Dylan McCabe and Seth Summers may also be in the running for this week’s title.

McCabe picked up two assists Friday, helping engineer the Stars attack from the backend, while Summers also picked up a helper, while matching up consistently against the La Ronge big line of Zach Bannister, Daylon Mannon and Kyle Ford.

The La Ronge big three have posted a combined 67 points through 19 games this year. If the three are stacked on a line again Saturday, the Fletcher-Summers pair will again be called upon to go head-to-head against the skilled unit, which is the duo’s speciality.

Behind the defence, goaltender Parker Rey will get the nod Saturday in the Stars’ crease.

The 19-year-old, Rey has posted a standout 2.25 goals-against average and .913 save percentage through his first four games this year.

At the other end, after Steven Bacovsky got the start Friday, the Ice Wolves are likely to hand the reigns to fellow rookie, Liam McGarva for Saturday night.

The Fort Saskatchewan product, McGarva has posted a 3.04 goals-against average and .914 save percentage this season.

Saturday’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 NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

R. Nivon, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, B. Gammer, D. Esau

K. Boser, R. McNinch, S. Kesslering

C. Reagan, H. Rambow, D. Prymak

Defencemen:

N. Form, D. McCabe

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

L. Antoniuk, T. Prexler

Goaltenders:

P. Rey

A. Dmyterko

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars and Ice Wolves set for part two of back-to-back showdown tonight

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