The North Stars currently hold a 20-point lead over the field in the SJHL standings, heading into their final 11 games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

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Stars top CJHL Rankings for 13th time in 14 weeks

Feb 9, 2023 | 2:00 PM

After reclaiming their mantle atop the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) standings last week, the Battlefords North Stars have extended their stay at the #1 spot in the country, with the release of the latest CJHL Top 20 rankings.

This marks the 13^th week in the last 14 the North Stars have held the number one ranking, as the team enters the weekend with a league-best 39-3-2-1 record.

They’ve also won five straight games, including back-to-back games since returning to action from the SJHL/MJHL Showcase last week.

The Stars topped Notre Dame 5-2 in their first game back, before returning to home ice for just the second time in their last 12, for a 6-4 victory over the Melfort Mustangs.

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Rounding out the top five in the CJHL Rankings this week are the #2 Cobras de Terrebonne (34-4-0-0) of the LHJAAAQ, the #3 Brooks Bandits (44-5-1-1) of the AJHL, and the #4 Toronto Jr. Canadiens (39-4-1-2) and #5 Collingwood Blues (37-6-0-1) of the OJHL.

North Stars Players of the Week

The North Stars also received some individual honours for their standout play of late, as both Kian Bell and Tynan Ewart were named to the SJHL Players of the Week.

Bell was named SJHL MVP of the Week for a dominant two-game showing that saw the Fall River, NS., product post-back-to-back two-goal performances and five points overall (4G, 1A) in the team’s two wins.

With nine goals and 11 points over his last five games, Bell now sits eight goals away from becoming the third North Stars player in franchise history to hit the 50-goal plateau, and the first in over three decades.

Ewart was named SJHL Defenceman of the Week for the second time in the last four weeks, in addition to being dubbed SJHL Defenceman of the Month for January.

Ewart posted three assists in two games last week as part of a larger sample size that has seen the Duncan, BC., product at his most dominant of late.

Ewart has eight points over his last five games and 18 over his last 14 since the turn of the New Year in addition to his usual heavy lifting defensively for the league’s stingiest team (the Stars have allowed just 2.47 goals against per game).

Bell, Ewart, and the CJHL-leading North Stars return to action Friday night in Wilcox for a divisional showdown with the Notre Dame Hounds.

Friday’s game is on 1050 CJNB with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1