Stars hope to prove Terriers’ bark is worse than bite

Each time, it was the same man answering the call to put the game to bed, in the form of Chantz Petruic, who has now laid claim to seven goals on the season. What’s even more terrifying for opposition defences, is that Petruic is not even the most lethal goal scorer on his own team. That distinction would go to WHL returnee, Jared Legien, who has scorched the league in the early going, boasting 10 goals through his first 10 games, to go along with averaging two points per game in the process.

With all the offensive firepower on the visitor’s side, the North Stars will have to be aware when Petruic, Legien and company are on the ice. Fortunately for the Stars, they have the pieces on the backend to neutralize that weaponry.

One of those pieces, returning to the lineup tonight, is Jacob Bayne.

The Calgary-born defender has missed considerable time due to an undisclosed injury, having been sidelined since his last game on Sept. 23. Bayne will make his way back onto the ice tonight, which should provide a huge shot in the arm for the Stars.

Bayne, who made the team as a lock within the top four out of training camp, brings smart, reliable play in his own end, and couples that along with the ability to headman the puck onto a teammate’s tape with aplomb. Bayne’s precision passing allows the Stars’ forwards to build speed and not have to break stride to receive an outlet pass. This talent leads to quick, efficient, transition offence out of the defensive zone consistently.

Bayne will suit up tonight alongside Austin Shumanski.

Cody Spagrud, coming off a performance that saw him net his second goal of the year, courtesy of a bomb from the right point on the power play; will once again be joined by Tanner Scott, in a duo well-accustomed to facing down the opposition’s best.

Matthew Fletcher, who appears to just continue to get better by the game, will skate alongside the ever-smooth and fluent, Seth Summers.

The Stars also possess some heavy artillery of their own up front, that always seem to relish a good matchup.

Ryan Gil who joined MacGregor Sinclair and Matthias Urbanski on the Stars’ top line last night will lineup at their right once again. The unit showed excellent cohesiveness, sublime complimenting skillsets, and rabid determination hounding the puck all over the ice.

Owen Lamb, who continues to make his presence felt as a two-way force, scored his fifth goal in six games last night. Lamb’s marker sealed the victory in favour of his team with his short-handed empty-netter serving as icing on the proverbial cake.

Lamb will be joined once again this evening by linemates Elijah Loon-Stewardson, coming off a performance that saw him tally his second goal of the season, and Braydon Buziak, in a trio who’s M.O. is taking a tenacious, hunting approach to the forecheck, while also supplying vivid detail on the backcheck.

Last night’s hero, Regan Doig will remain at the centre-ice position on line three, joined once again by Quintin Loon-Stewardson on his left and pesky 18-year-old sparkplug, Brett Gammer on the right.

Austin Becker who was creating chances all over the ice in the game against Melville, will remain a staple of the team on the fourth unit, joined this time by prototypical power forward, Kaden Boser, and young gun, Tanner Robin.

Goaltender Joel Grzybowski will get the start tonight, returning between the pipes.

Stars’ fans can catch all the action, starting with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m., leading to puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:

M. Urbanski, M. Sinclair, R. Gil

E. Loon-Stewardson, B. Buziak, O. Lamb

Q. Loon-Stewardson, R. Doig, B. Gammer

A. Becker, K. Boser, T. Robin

Defense:

T. Scott, C. Spagrud

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

A. Shumanski, J. Bayne

Goaltender:

J. Grzybowski

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Stars hope to prove Terriers’ bark is worse than bite

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