North Stars centreman, Marshall Light lines up on the face-off with Red Wings' forward Elijah Anderson. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Matinee with Red Wings

North Stars shoot for eighth straight in final game of SJHL Showcase

Nov 16, 2023 | 12:12 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Thursday, for their second and final game of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) Showcase in Warman, in an afternoon contest against a familiar foe in the Weyburn Red Wings.

The North Stars enter play as the hottest team in the SJHL, riding a seven-game winning streak that has seen the Battlefords outscore their opposition 45-18 over the stretch.

Second in the Nutrien Division and third overall in the league standings, with a 13-6-0-1 record through 20 games, the team sits just two points back of second-place Humboldt.

The Red Wings are first in the Viterra Division and sixth overall with an 8-6-0-4 record through 18 games, and are desperate to snap a three-game skid, with a chance to potentially leapfrog fifth-place Nipawin with a win and a Hawks’ loss on the day.

Among the hottest North Stars heading into play Thursday are forward Rylan Williams and defenceman Alex Izyk.

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Williams has goals in four straight and points in six straight, with 10 points in his last six games. Izyk is coming off a four-assist performance Monday against Estevan, with points in seven straight and 11 total (one goal, 10 assists) over his last seven games.

The Red Wings are also led into play by one forward and one defenceman who has been at the forefront for the team as of late. Weyburn winger, Jerome Maharaj is the defending SJHL MVP of the Week, with at least a point in eight of his last nine games, and 15 points (six goals, nine assists) total over his last nine.

Wings’ defenceman Tyler Teasdale has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over his last nine games dating back to mid-October, highlighted by a pair of multi-point efforts against the Battlefords.

In goal, the North Stars will start Joey Hawco after Justen Maric backstopped the team to victory in their opening game of the Showcase. In nine games this season, Hawco is 5-3-0 with a 3.53 goals against average and .885 save percentage.

Weyburn are likely to counter with starter Dazza Mitchell, after backup Eric Kahl got the team’s last start against the North Stars. Mitchell is 7-2-0-4 through 14 games with a 2.95 goals against average and .919 save percentage.

Thursday’s game will be an afternoon start with the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 1 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 1:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1