Defenseman, Tanner Gold and his North Stars teammates will open their season with a bang Friday night, on home ice against the division rival, Klippers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Rivalry Weekend

North Stars home opener kicks off season in style versus Kindersley

Sep 22, 2023 | 1:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars take to the ice Friday night for their season opener at the ACC against the rival, Kindersley Klippers.

In the first of a home-and-home between the two sides this weekend, it will mark the 12^th straight season the Stars and Klippers open their schedules with the traditional back-to-back showdown.

Stars’ head coach, Brayden Klimosko said it’s always an exciting time around the rink heading into the first game of a new season.

“There’s definitely going to be some nerves, there’s the banner raising and everything, and I think the big thing is to expect some nerves, expect some mistakes that normally wouldn’t happen mid-season, but that’s all part of having a new group and a raw group,” he said.

“They want to learn, they want to get better and they want to be winners, so I think they’re going to learn lots [through the early season].”

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The North Stars finished the pre-season 3-1-1 over five games, which included a pair of wins over the Klippers: 8-4 in the teams’ Rookie Game on Sept. 10, and 3-2 in the recent matchup, Sept. 13 in Kindersley.

If the pre-season meetings are any indication, it shouldn’t take long for the Nutrien Division rivalry to heat up. In the third period of that Sept. 13 game, 30 minutes in penalties were assessed with 10 different players given Roughing calls in a single altercation late in the final frame.

Among Kindersley’s veterans to watch this weekend are the dynamic duo of 20-year-olds, Logan Linklater and Tylin Hilbig.

Hilbig, a brute force down the wing at 6’4, 205 pounds, led the Klippers with 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) last year, while Linklater, the lightning to his linemate’s thunder, led the team in points per game, with 1.19 per contest, racking up 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 31 games.

The North Stars’ leading scorers returning from last year include Jackson Allan, who paced all Battlefords’ rookies with 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) in 48 games, and defenceman Tanner Gold, who registered 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists) in 49 games.

Allan, a shifty and creative two-way centre, scored a goal and two points in his lone pre-season game and enters the year primed to establish himself amongst the elite players in the league. Gold, who will serve as team captain, is the second-highest-scoring returning defenseman in the SJHL and will anchor the Stars’ blue line, again counted on to play the toughest matchup minutes.

In goal, Kindersley is likely to give the nod to second-year netminder, Cody Jaman. One of just two goalies selected to represent the league’s 18U team at the SJHL/MJHL showcase last year, Jaman faced the second-most shots in the league amongst rookie netminders (1144) and made the second-most saves (1026), showing a penchant for keeping his team in games often.

The North Stars will turn to first-year goaltender, Joey Hawco. In four pre-season games, the 18-year-old from Halifax, NS., led all first-year netminders to play more than a single game with a .948 save percentage.

Due to the Riders game Friday on 1050 CJNB, the North Stars’ home opener will be available on 93.3 Beach Radio. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

To celebrate the start of the new season, the North Stars will also be holding a kickoff party ahead of the game at Beaver Lions Stadium (located right next to the rink) from 6-7 p.m., featuring live music by Gypsy Moonbird and beer gardens.

Prior to puck drop, SJHL commissioner, Kyle McIntyre will also be on hand to present the team with their 2022-23 SJHL Championship banner, in a special pregame ceremony.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1