North Stars' forward Brayden Sinclair is quickly proving himself amongst the elite first-year players in the SJHL. With another goal Friday, Sinclair sits second in team scoring with six points (three goals, three assists) through seven games, while also providing a strong defensive presence. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Night two of back-to-back

North Stars aim for weekend sweep as scene shifts to La Ronge

Oct 14, 2023 | 2:00 PM

Coming off a 6-0 win over the Ice Wolves to open the weekend Friday, the Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night in La Ronge, for night two of the teams’ home-and-home.

The North Stars (4-4-0) enter play second in the Nutrien Division and sixth overall in the league standings, in search of their first back-to-back wins of the young season.

The Ice Wolves (2-6-1) sit fourth in the Sherwood Division and 11th overall, and will be hungry for a quick bounce back in front of their home crowd, as the team look to snap a three-game slide.

The Stars saw six different players light the lamp in Friday’s win, as each of Ben Portner, Jackson Allan, Brad Blake, Xavier Lacoste, Brayden Sinclair and Riley Girod lit the lamp for the team. Those six will be split between three forward lines and a defensive pair Saturday, making for no easy matchups for the La Ronge defense.

Tonight’s Lineup @SJHL_IceWolves provided by Sigstad’s Prairie Catering pic.twitter.com/dIfViSMRY5

— North Stars (@SJHL_NorthStars) October 14, 2023

(Twitter/@SJHL_NorthStars)

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In goal, coming off a 31-save shutout performance, the Stars will give Justen Maric a night off and tap goaltender Joey Hawco to make his fifth appearance of the campaign. Hawco is 2-2-0 to start the year, with a 3.37 goals against average and .881 save percentage.

At the other end of the ice, the Ice Wolves will be searching for a breakthrough offensively, after being held off the scoreboard entirely for the first time this season in Friday’s loss.

The weekend opener marked the first time this year the Wolves’ top line of Mason Bueckert (14 points in nine games), William Forsberg (eight points) and Raine Hodge (seven points) were all held without a single point on the board, with the trio sure to be at the forefront Saturday if their team is to find an answer against the Battlefords’ defense.

In goal, La Ronge could well return to starter Topher Chirico, who has played in eight of his team’s first nine games. Chirico is 2-6-0 to start the year, with a 5.10 goals against average and .878 save percentage.

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

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars aim for weekend sweep as scene shifts to La Ronge

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