Stars forward, Ben Hiltz picked up a goal and three points in the third period Friday, to help lead the Battlefords to a convincing 5-2 win over the Broncos in North Battleford. Hiltz and his North Stars' teammates will be looking for continued success Saturday, as the scene shifts to Humboldt. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Searching for eighth straight

Stars look for repeat performance in Round 2 of weekend series with Broncos

Feb 1, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Following a 5-2 thrashing of the Humboldt Broncos at the Civic Centre Friday, the Battlefords North Stars will return to action Saturday night in Humboldt, for the back-half of the teams’ home-and-home series this weekend.

The North Stars enter play on a roll, having won seven straight. With a league-best 39-7-2 record, the Stars’ 80 points put them 17 ahead of second place overall.

Humboldt meanwhile, remain in the thick of the playoff race. Carrying a 21-19-8 record into play, the Broncos’ 50 points place them seventh overall; just four points back of fifth, and four up on eighth place, in the playoff picture.

Five different North Stars chipped in with goals Friday, in the team’s 5-2 win over the Broncos.

As the Battlefords continue to battle injury, the team will need their depth of scoring to continue, in search of an eighth straight victory. Forward Rylan Nivon remains out with an upper body injury, while Matthias Urbanski will also miss the night’s contest due to a lower body ailment.

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On a positive note, Elijah Loon-Stewardson will make his return to the lineup Saturday, after missing the weekend opener due to a lower body injury.

Loon-Stewardson will suit up alongside two of the hottest Stars of late, Ben Hiltz and Jaxon Steele.

Hiltz leads the Stars into Saturday, as the forward is coming off a three-point outing to open the weekend. Right winger Jaxon Steele also had a performance of note, returning to play off of injury to collect a goal and an assist in his own right as well.

Since joining the Battlefords in separate deals two months ago, the pair have shone for the Stars. Hiltz has collected 20 points in 19 games with the black and silver, while Steele has picked up 17 points through 17 games.

The Broncos will counter Saturday with an offense led by a pair of prominent Logan’s.

Rookie dynamo, Logan Kurki is the hottest Bronco heading into play. With his highlight-reel tally Friday, the Maple Ridge, BC., product has now picked up five goals over his last five games, and 31 points through his opening 35 games this year.

Logan Foster, meanwhile, leads Humboldt’s attack this season with 26 goals, 60 points. Foster was kept off the scorecard Friday, but has been held pointless in consecutive games just four times this year.

Between the pipes, netminder Adam Dmyterko will get the nod for the Battlefords. The start will serve as the 19-year-old’s first since Jan. 4, as he will make his return from an upper body injury.

Through 20 games this year, Dmyterko has posted a sparking 14-2 record, to go along with a 2.47 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

At the other end, it remains to be seen who will get the start for the Broncos.

Michael Harroch has started each of Humboldt’s last four games, but gave up five goals on 37 shots Friday. Brendan Forman and Noah Decottignies, are the team’s other two options in goal.

Saturday’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.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1