The North Stars will wear their special orange third jerseys Friday in Melfort, for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Pictured here, Keiton Klein (right) and Wilson Steele (left). (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Shooting Stars

North Stars off to Melfort in search of seventh straight

Sep 30, 2022 | 3:30 PM

It’s hockey night Friday for the Battlefords North Stars, who return to play in Melfort, looking to continue their surging start to the season.

Coming off a dominant display at the SJHL Showcase, that saw the team outscore their opposition 10-0 over their two games, the Stars make their return to play a league-best 6-0, in search of their seventh straight win.

The Stars will be facing a Melfort Mustangs team eager to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Battlefords Wednesday, in a tight battle at the Showcase, now back on their home ice at the Northern Lights Palace.

Much like Wednesday’s contest, the Stars and Mustangs enter play the benchmark of early season success on special teams.

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The Stars hold the league’s best power play percentage, converting on just over 30 percent of their opportunities up-a-man. The Mustangs are up to 88 percent efficiency on the penalty kill, after thwarting the Stars on seven of their eight power play tries Wednesday, save for Steven Kesslering’s empty-netter.

Kesslering and fellow right wing, Keiton Klein are tied atop the Stars’ scoring leaders with nine points apiece, while Klein’s seven goals are tops on the team, followed by Kesslering’s six.

At the other end, the Mustangs’ blue liner, Leith Olafson leads Mefort with four goals and six points, the latter of which is tied with veteran forward, Dawson Leroux for tops on the team.

Between the pipes, the North Stars will tap first-year tender, Justen Maric to make his first career SJHL start.

An 18-year-old from Edmonton, AB., Maric spent last year with the CAC Canadians of the Alberta U18 AAA Hockey League, posting a 3.40 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 23 games, before a one-game call up to the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.

Melfort are likely to give the start to Joel Favreau. A 20-year-old in his third season with the team, Favreau has posted a 2-2-1 record with a 1.89 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

Due to the Rider’s broadcast on 1050 CJNB, Friday’s game will be available on 93.3 The Rock. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1