North Stars' goaltender Joey Hawco will get the start for the second straight game Wednesday night in Melfort, coming off a 28-save win against La Ronge, Saturday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Wednesday night Hockey

North Stars face Mustangs in clash of surging teams

Oct 18, 2023 | 1:14 PM

For the first time since their four-game SJHL semifinal series last spring, the Battlefords North Stars will head to Melfort to take on the Mustangs at the Northern Lights Palace on Wednesday.

A battle of two surging teams, the North Stars (5-4-0) enter play second in the Nutrien Division and seventh overall in the league standings, coming off back-to-back 6-0 and 6-2 wins over La Ronge last weekend, looking for a third straight victory for the first time this young season.

The Mustangs (7-1-0) sit second in the Sherwood Division and third overall heading into the matchup. Among the hottest teams in the league throughout the opening two weeks, the Mustangs will be looking to bounce back from just their first loss of the season, Saturday in Kindersley.

Head coach of the North Stars Brayden Klimosko said Wednesday night’s game will be a good measuring stick to gauge where the team is at against one of the league’s best.

“It’s going to be a really good test, we’re going to see their best which is what we want this time of year, to try to beat some of the top teams in the league, and Melfort’s one of those teams,” he said. “We’re going to have to be at our best, and hopefully we can show that here tonight.”

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The North Stars are coming off a strong showing at both ends of the rink last weekend which saw them limit La Ronge to just two goals in their two-game weekend series with the Ice Wolves, while the Battlefords’ offense saw 11 different players chip in for their 12 goals scored.

“We might not have a guy in the top 10 of scoring, but [if] you have enough depth and everyone just chips in here and there that makes a big difference,” Klimosko said. “It’s a good start with the depth scoring so far, it’s been good to see, and we’re going to need everyone again tonight.”

Riley Girod is the lone Stars’ player to have scored two goals over the Battlefords’ last two games, while each of Jackson Allan, Brayden Sinclair, Ben Portner, Brad Blake, Xavier Lacoste, Jordan Grill, Andrew Casellato, Owen Underhill, Hunter Burgeson, and Evan Waldie have also lit the lamp for the team over their last two games.

The Mustangs are led into play by one of the top lines in the SJHL, featuring Melfort local Zac Somers at center and wingers Ryan Duguay and Aidyn Hutchinson.

North Stars’ captain Tanner Gold will be called upon to play matchup minutes against the top line of the Mustangs when the Stars can get the matchup on the road. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Duguay (eight goals, three assists in seven games) and Hutchinson (five goals, six assists in eight games) are tied for the Mustangs’ lead with 11 points apiece, while Somers has seven points (one goal, six assists) in just four games, and will make his return to the lineup for the first time this month Wednesday, after missing the last four games due to injury.

In goal, the North Stars will turn to first-year puck-stopper Joey Hawco to make his second straight start, as Justen Maric remains day-to-day for the team. Through five games, Hawco is 3-2-0 with a 3.37 goals against average and a .892 save percentage.

Melfort will give the start to James Venne, who has had the bulk of the work for the team through the early going this year. Venne is 7-0-0 to start the year with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

Wednesday’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.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1