North Stars' forward Riley Girod enters play red-hot with three goals and four points over his last two games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars vs. Terriers

North Stars shoot for fourth straight in night two of back-to-back

Nov 3, 2023 | 3:45 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday night in North Battleford for night two of their back-to-back with the Yorkton Terriers.

Coming off a decisive 9-2 victory a night ago, the North Stars enter play second in the Nutrien Division and fourth overall in the league standings with a 9-6-0-1 record through 16 games. With 19 points, Battlefords sit just two back of third-place Melfort, having played their best hockey of late in search of their fourth straight win.

Yorkton is fourth in the Viterra Division and 11^th overall in the league standings with a 4-8-1-1 record through 14 games. With 10 points, the Terriers are tied with 10^th-place Kindersley, as the team looks to get back on track after being limited to just two wins over their last 10.

The North Stars are led into play Friday night by the dynamic trio of Kian Bell, Ben Portner, and Brad Blake, who together combined for 11 points (four goals, seven assists) as a line Thursday night.

Bell, the Defending SJHL MVP of the Week and Forward of the Week, now has 14 points (six goals, eight assists) through his first four games this season, while Portner has seven over his last two games to lead the North Stars and sit seventh overall in league points with 19 (six goals, 13 assists) in 13 games.

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Blake enters play on a six-game point streak, including back-to-back three-point games, for 14 points (eight goals, six assists) through his first 14 games.

Justen Maric will make his third straight start for the North Stars, following a 29-save performance a night ago. Maric is 5-2-0-1 through eight games with a 1.96 goals against average and .942 save percentage.

The Terriers could go with either Blake Sittler or Adam Kelly, as both saw action Thursday night. Sittler enters play with a 3-4-0-0 record along with a 3.67 goals against average and .884 save percentage. Kelly is 0-1-0-0 with a 5.85 goals against average and .836 save percentage.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast Friday 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