North Stars defenceman, Carson Olsen and forward, Matthew Biros lead a strong youth movement for the team through the early part of the season, with already seven different players having scored their first goal in the SJHL. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back in action

North Stars aim for second straight as road swing wraps in Melville

Sep 30, 2023 | 3:00 PM

After splitting their first two games at Yorkton to open their three-game swing, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday for the final leg of their three-in-three this weekend, in Melville.

The North Stars enter play Saturday 2-2-0 through their first four games, with the success of their current road swing hanging in the balance. The Battlefords opened their trip with a tough 8-4 loss in their first game in Yorkton, before bouncing back quickly to respond with a 9-6 win in their rematch with the Terriers Friday.

“I think it’s one of those things were we just have that resiliency and stick-to-itiveness, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy but our guys stuck with it and there were not many passengers,” assistant coach, Garry Childerhose said post-game of Friday’s win.

He said heading into the third and final stop of the trip, the key becomes staying focused on the task at hand, with a good test ahead in the Millionaires.

“I think it’s just not getting too high, and not getting too low with the losses; it’s a big one in Melville with [three-time SJHL Coach of the Year] Doug Johnson, they’re a well-coached team and a very hard-working team so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

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The Stars will face a Melville Millionaires club who have also seen a bit of a mixed bag in the results department early this season, having split their first two games, falling 3-2 to Estevan in their opener, before a stout 5-0 rebound to respond against the Bruins the following night.

The North Stars are led into play by the tandem of Marshall Light and Jackson Allan down the middle of the ice. Both Light and Allan are coming off goals in back-to-back games, as the pair will centre the top two lines again this evening.

Both bringing speed, great hands, and tenacity on the forecheck, Light’s five points lead the Stars, coming off back-to-back multi-point efforts with a goal and an assist each of the last two nights. Allan has a point in three of four games so far, lighting the lamp in highlight-reel fashion a night ago to put the game out of reach.

Melville are led by a pair of centre icemen as well, in rookie Keen Kole and veteran, Caden Drury. Kole is coming off a three-assist game in the Mills’ 5-0 win, while Drury has scored in each of his team’s two games so far, adding an assist as well for three points.

In goal, the North Stars will return to Joey Hawco, who is coming off a 15/18-save performance to get the win a night ago, after coming on in relief in the first period. Hawco is 2-1 through his first three games, with a 3.95 goals against average and .863 save percentage.

Melville are likely to give the nod to William Dyke, who has started both games for the Millionaires so far, with a 1-1 record while posting a 1.53 goals against average and .950 save percentage.

Saturday’s game will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1