The North Stars will receive a boost up front Thursday, with the return to the lineup of centreman Jackson Allan, after missing the last two games due to flu-like symptoms. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

In search of third straight

North Stars host Terriers for opening night of back-to-back

Nov 2, 2023 | 2:51 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to home ice at the Access Communications Centre (ACC) tonight against the Yorkton Terriers.

The first of what will be back-to-back games between the two sides Thursday and Friday night, the matchup will mark the third installment of the season series between them. The two sides combined for a staggering 27 goals over their first two meetings back on Sept. 28 and 29, an 8-4 Yorkton win countered by a 9-6 North Stars victory the following night.

North Stars’ goaltender Justen Maric said heading into the back-to-back, the key to success begins with a strong start to set the tone early.

“You can’t take any team for granted in this league and we have to give it our all for a full 60 [minutes] tonight,” he said. “The biggest thing is getting off to a good start because if we can get on them fast then we’ll set ourselves up for the whole weekend.”

The North Stars enter play second in the Nutrien Division and fifth overall in the league standings with an 8-6-0-1 record through 15 games.

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The North Stars are coming off back-to-back wins last week to close out their three-in-three southern swing, with a 5-2 win over the Bruins in Estevan followed by a 9-2 thrashing of the Red Wings in Weyburn.

The Terriers are fourth in the Viterra Division and 10^th overall in the league standings, with a 4-7-1-1 record. Yorkton is tied in points with 11th-place Kindersley (while holding a single game in hand), and sit just two points back of eighth-place Estevan.

Coming off a thrilling 3-2 overtime win last Saturday against the Melfort Mustangs, the Terriers are in search of consecutive wins for the first time this season.

The North Stars are led into play Thursday by defending SJHL MVP of the Week and Forward of the Week, Kian Bell. The dynamic winger and certified game-breaker is coming off an epic road swing with 10 points (five goals, five assists) over his first three games since rejoining the North Stars this season.

Missing captain and defending SJHL Defenseman of the Week Tanner Gold tonight due to personal reasons, the North Stars will be relying on continued depth of contributions that saw eight different players register multi-point games for the team in their 9-2 win last weekend.

North Stars Brayden Sinclair (two goals, one assist), Brad Blake (two goals, one assist), and Ben Portner (one goal, two assists) are each coming off three-point games for the Battlefords, heading into this week’s back-to-back. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Yorkton counter with an offensive attack led by captain and 20-year-old veteran Clay Sleeva. A shifty forward with a penchant for rising to the occasion in big games, Sleeva’s 11 points (five goals, six assists) lead all Terriers. He is coming off a two-point performance (one goal, one assist) Saturday, capped off by scoring the overtime winner against the Mustangs with just three seconds to go in O.T. to deliver his team to victory.

Thursday’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