Captain, Matthew Fletcher and his North Stars’ teammates will look to stay hot Saturday, in search of a fifth straight win, as the team will make their first appearance of the new calendar year in front of the home crowd. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back to the Battlefords

Stars and Klippers ready for round two of weekend showdown

Jan 4, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will return to action Saturday for part two of their weekend home-and-home series with the division rival, Kindersley Klippers, as the scene shifts to the Battlefords.

Returning home for their first game of the new 2020 calendar year at the NB Civic Centre, the Stars will be looking to stay hot following a convincing 5-2 victory over the Klippers Friday night in Kindersley.

With a league-best 64 points, thanks to a 31-6-2 record, the Battlefords’ black and silver have been at their best as of late. The Stars have won four straight heading into play Saturday.

Kindersley, by contrast, are 14-18-6 on the season, and with 34 points, sit just back of Notre Dame for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Klippers will be eager to snap a two-game losing skid and play the spoiler in the Battlefords’ homecoming, if they can help it.

The North Stars’ offensive confidence throughout the lineup should be at a high heading into play Saturday. The team is coming off a 5-2 victory over the Klippers Friday, that saw five different players chip in with a goal apiece on the scorecard.

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With goals provided by Ben Hiltz, Logan Spence, Austin Becker, Seth Summers and Rylan Nivon, the Stars witnessed tangible offensive contribution from three different forward lines, and the blue line.

That ‘all hands on deck’ mentality is one that has been key to the Stars’ success this season, and has been especially evident once again as of late. The team has now scored 22 goals over their last four games, with 12 different players chipping in with at least a single tally over the span.

Hiltz is amongst the hottest Stars’ players heading into Saturday. The 6’3 Weyburn, SK., product has scored in three of his last four games, while riding a six-game point streak into play Saturday night.

At the other end, Liam Fraser, who remains hot for Kindersley, has also carried his game-breaking penchant into the New Year. Fraser, who also scored last night, has now collected 20 goals on the season, with 12 coming over his last 11 games.

Goaltender, Adam Dmyterko will get the start Saturday for the Stars. Dmyterko enters play with a 13-2 record, to go along with a sparkling 2.50 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.

It remains to be seen who will get the start for the Klippers. Matt Sankner has been nothing short of the Klippers’ MVP this season, having posted a dynamite 2.50 goals-against average and .928 save percentage. Sankner did however, sacrifice five goals on 24 Stars’ shots Friday, and has now posted a sub-.900 save percentage in three of his last four games.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with pregame at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup TBA

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1