Wednesday night may be the first meeting between the North Stars and Millionaires in over two months, but the two sides will be sure to reacquaint themselves early in the evening. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

New Day, A New Town

Stars look for two-point payoff in Melville

Jan 15, 2020 | 2:02 PM

Coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over the division rival Notre Dame Hounds Tuesday, the Battlefords North Stars will return to action Wednesday night in Melville, looking to keep momentum rolling.

The Stars enter play having won six of their last seven games overall, and with a 33-7-2 record on the season, sit in top spot of the league standings. The Battlefords’ 68 points this season are 12 points up on second place Yorkton, while the Stars also hold a staggering five games in hand on the Terriers.

But while the North Stars may be running away with first overall, the Melville Millionaires at the other end of the ice, will be trying to avoid finishing at the bottom of the standings come year’s end.

Melville return to the ice Wednesday carrying a 13-22-6 record into play. Sitting 12^th overall in the 12-team Saskatchewan league, the Millionaires will be looking to establish a strong finish to the season.

The night’s matchup will serve as just the second meeting between the two clubs this season, and their first since back on Oct. 2, a 6-1 North Stars victory.

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For the second time in as many nights, the Stars’ matchup will be focused around the netminders at either end.

Newly acquired 19-year-old, Kristian Lyon will make his North Stars’ debut for the Battlefords between the pipes. Lyon was the lone acquisition by the team Friday, prior to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) trade deadline.

In 13 games with the Langley Trappers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) this season, Lyon posted a 3.30 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.

Meanwhile at the other end, perhaps Melville’s brightest story this season has been the play of their puck stopper, Berk Berkeliev.

The 19-year-old, Berkeliev, has been nothing short of dynamic between the pipes this season, posting a 2.46 goals-against average and league-best .935 save percentage through 22 games this year.

Aside from their goalie, Melville are led up front by forwards, Zach McIntyre and Luke Nkwama.

McIntyre was picked up by the Millionaires back on Dec. 1 and enters play coming off a multipoint effort versus the Notre Dame Hounds over the weekend. On the season, McIntyre has posted 31 points in 39 games this year. Nkwama sits second in team scoring with 29 points in 41 games.

The North Stars counter with a dynamic offensive attack that picked up five goals from five different players Tuesday evening in Wilcox.

Defencemen, Matthew Fletcher and Seth Summers led the way for their team, picking up multipoint efforts with a goal and an assist each. Their four points combined give the two 37 and 36 points on the year respectively, as the pair sit first and second in blue liner scoring.

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

North Stars lineup

Forwards:
A. Becker, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

R. Nivon, B. Hiltz, J. Steele

M. Urbanski, D. Esau, S. Kesslering

C. Reagan, K. Boser, L. Spence
Defencemen:

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

N. Form, D. McCabe

L. Antoniuk, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

K. Lyon

A. Schwab

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1