The rival Stars and Hounds will battle it out for the third time in the season-series Friday night at the Civic Centre. The teams have split the opening two matchups in Wilcox, as the Stars will look to get the upper hand as the scene shifts to the NB Civic Centre. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Divisional Battle

North Stars welcome Hounds to town for final game ahead of holiday break

Dec 20, 2019 | 2:12 PM

With the sound of sleigh bells ringing around the corner, the Battlefords North Stars will play their final game ahead of the Christmas break Friday night, against the division-rival Notre Dame Hounds in front of the hometown crowd at the Civic Centre.

The Stars enter play hot, having won two-straight in hopes of a third riding into the two-week hiatus. The team sits in top spot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings with a 29-6-2 record and 60 points on the season.

At the other end, Notre Dame rank third in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division and ninth overall, with a 14-18-4 record on the year. With 32 points on the year, the Hounds sit just two points back of Kindersley for the final playoff spot looking to close the gap with success in their final contest prior to the holidays.

While both the North Stars and Hounds feature some of the top goaltending in the league, each of the two sides enter the evening’s matchup Friday on a roll offensively.

Notre Dame has racked up 10 goals over their last two games, and 16 over their last four. The Stars have scored 11 over their last two games.

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The Hounds’ attack is led up front by forwards Jarrett Penner and Jared Hamm. The pair sit first and second in team scoring with 27 and 25 points, respectively.

Each of the two have been especially hot as of late, entering play coming off back-to-back multi-point performances. Penner has picked up a goal in two-straight, and five points in the process, while Hamm has one goal, six points over his last two appearances.

The Stars will counter with a lethal offensive attack of their own, as deep as any in the league.

Defenceman, Timon Prexler enters Friday night having picked up three goals in his last two games, while Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Jaxon Steele and Ben Hiltz have each scored in consecutive contests as well.

The firepower on both sides means the aforementioned goaltending will need to be at its best for whichever side is to come out victorious.

The Hounds will likely hand the reigns to sophomore Phenom, Riley Kohonick against the potent Stars’ attack. Kohonick has posted an 11-13 record this year, along with a stellar 2.72 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. The 19-year-old White City, Sask., product is coming off a 43-save shutout performance Thursday night.

For the Stars, fellow 19-year-old standout, Parker Rey will get the nod. Rey is also coming off an excellent outing, having stopped 40 of 44 shots against the Broncos Tuesday night in Humboldt. Rey’s 2.26 goals-against average and .921 save percentage rank amongst the elite rookie goalies in the league this season.

Friday’s game will be broadcasted on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on 1050 CJNB.

Prior to game time, fans attending Friday night’s contest can arrive early to take part in the Stars’ Pregame Beer and Pizza Party from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre’s Prism Cable Hot Stove Lounge.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

R. Nivon, Q. Loon-Stewardson, J. Steele

M. Urbanski, B. Hiltz, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, K. Boser, S. Kesslering

C. Reagan, D. Esau, R. McNinch

Defencemen:

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

N. Form, T. Prexler

L. Antoniuk, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

P. Rey

A. Dmyterko

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1