North Stars battle Bruins in Estevan

The premier matchup tonight will feature two of the league’s three nominees for SJHL Defenseman of the Year, facing off head-to-head.

Blue liners, Cody Spagrud of the North Stars and Jake Heerspink of the Bruins, each captain their respective teams and have been rock solid for their squads over the course of the year.

Spagrud, who recently turned 21, Jan. 13, and Heerspink, who will do so in just four days (Feb. 27) have each set career-high marks in both goals and points. Each also ranks within the top five in rearguard production; Spagrud with 40 points, Heerspink with 38.

Another prominent matchup will again feature Spagrud, who is also nominated for SJHL Player of the Year, along with Bruins’ forward Turner Ripplinger.

Ripplinger sits second in team scoring with 26 goals and 57 points in 54 games played this season.

Spagrud, alongside his partner on the backend this evening, Noah Form, will see a lot of Ripplinger on the Bruins’ top line; a unit that also features another prominent offensive threat up front wearing the ‘Spoked- B’ in defending SJHL Player of the Week, Michael McChesney.

McChesney was granted Player of the Week honours after picking up six points in just three games last week, before scoring once again in his most recent game action on Tuesday.

McChesney’s crowning performance saw the Diskinson, ND., product notch a hat trick against the Red Wings last Saturday. The 21-year-old now leads the team in both goals (30), and points (58), despite playing just 51 of his team’s 55 games.

While Spagrud sinks his teeth into a matchup with the Bruins’ top unit, Heerspink will also look to have a handful with the Stars’ top line, arguably the hottest in the Saskatchewan League as of late.

With a goal and an assist last night, Owen Lamb notched his sixth multi-point effort in just eight games this month for 50 points in 51 games this season.

Also with another goal last night, MacGregor Sinclair has now posted 12 goals over his last 15 games, dating back to Jan. 11. Buziak has scored 13 points over his last seven games.

With the firepower on either side clicking along at a lethal clip, Saturday night will need to be a big one for the men tending the pipes.

Stars’ netminder Joel Grzybowski will get the nod Saturday after being awarded a night’s rest Friday evening.

Grzybowski has played more hockey than any goaltender this year as the workhorse 19-year-old will suit up for his league-leading 41^st start of the season.

Grzybowski has posted a 2.66 goals-against average and .910 save percentage so far this season, ranking second in wins, with 20.

At the other end, Bruins’ goalie, Tyler Szturm could get the start for the second-straight game.

A 19-year-old from Thunder Bay, ON., Szturm stopped 19 of 22 shots against Notre Dame Tuesday in a 3-2 Bruins defeat.

Fans can catch all of Saturday’s action on 1050 CJNB beginning with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on Napa North Stars hockey.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:

B. Buziak, M. Sinclair, O. Lamb

E. Loon-Stewardson, Q. Loon-Stewardson, R. Gil

A. Becker, B. Gammer, D. Esau

K. Boser, D. Heino, R. Doig

Defensemen:
N. Form, C. Spagrud

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

A. Shumanski, G. Johnson

Goaltenders:

J. Grzybowski

A. Dmyterko

–

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars battle Bruins in Estevan

What's Trending