North Stars captain, Jake Southgate will be among the vets playing their first pre-season game of the year Thursday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back in action

North Stars head to Bonnyville for pre-season showdown

Sep 1, 2022 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will return to action Thursday, for the second of the team’s back-to-backs with the Bonnyville Pontiacs to open the pre-season.

Coming off a 7-1 win over the Pontiacs in their first game of the exhibition schedule Wednesday at Flying Dust, the Stars will be looking for a similar result, as the scene now shifts to Bonnyville.

Among those suiting up for their first pre-season action this fall will be Stars captain, Jake Southgate, who will line up alongside a couple of familiar linemates in centreman, Holden Doell and right winger, Colby Bear.

“The boys are excited, you want to play games and that’s what you train for all summer so we’re excited to get back,” Southgate said. “The boys had a great game last night with a big win, so we’re looking to build on that tonight.”

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Heading into his 20-year-old season, Southgate said while it may still be early, there has already been lots to like about the team this year, in a group that’s only getting better by the day.

“Already we’re really close and it’s been a really quick pace at our practices,” he said following the morning skate. “Obviously [things aren’t] quite as clean and crisp as mid-season form yet, but it’s just getting better every day and we’re a quick and physical team.”

Perhaps the very definition of quick and physical based on his play through camp has been 19-year-old, Lyndon Orr.

A South Dakota product who played last year with the Colorado Springs Tigers 18U AAA team said he too is looking forward to getting his first taste of pre-season action with the Stars this year.

“I’m pretty fired up,” Orr said with a grin. “We had a good tilt against [the Pontiacs] last night and the boys really put on a good show so we know they’re going to come out fired up, but that’s what junior hockey’s about. We’re going to go out there and play hard, play fast and get it done.”

Orr, who will line up at the centre position Thursday, flanked by wingers Brady Schwab and Anton Petrovskiy, said he’s eager to make an impact any way he can to prove himself as a valuable asset to the team this year.

“I’ll play centre, wing, wherever the coach needs me,” Orr said. “My game is a lot of hard work, a lot of competing, winning battles in the corners, locking up on defense, and then maybe sneaking in a couple of greasy goals too if it works out,” he added, again flashing a smile.

On the backend, defenceman Easton Sandberg will be among the blue liners making his pre-season debut with the team, after spending last season with the Port Alberni Bombers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.

Sandberg said following a good week at camp and practicing with the team, he’s ready to get into some game action with the club.

“I’m super excited to get going with the guys, and it should be a good game tonight in Bonnyville,” he said. “It’s been super fun just getting to know some of the guys and practicing hard every day so it’s been good, and I’m looking forward to tonight.”

Thursday’s game in Bonnyville will begin at 7 p.m., but will not be available on the radio or HockeyTV. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcasts on 1050 CJNB will begin with the start of the regular season.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1