Brad Blake and his North Stars teammates enter play Friday red-hot, in search of a ninth straight win. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Friday night Showdown

North Stars go for ninth straight in La Ronge

Nov 17, 2023 | 3:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Friday night in La Ronge, for their first of back-to-back games against the Ice Wolves at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

The North Stars enter play red-hot, winning a league-high eight straight heading into the weekend, to sit second in the Viterra Division and third overall in the league standings at 14-6-0-1 through 21 games. With 29 points, the North Stars are tied with second-place Humboldt, though the Broncos do hold three games in hand.

The Ice Wolves, by contrast, enter the weekend series desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Fourth in the Sherwood Division and 11th overall in the league standings, La Ronge are 5-14-1-1 through their first 21, with their 12 points just a single up on 12th place Notre Dame who hold a game in hand.

North Stars Alex Izyk, and Rylan Williams continued their team-best point streaks Thursday, staying red-hot for the club heading into the weekend.

Izyk scored the eventual game-winner versus Weyburn to extend the blue liner’s point streak to eight straight with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) over the span. Williams, a former Ice Wolves’ draft pick, had a pair of assists to extend his point streak to seven straight, with 12 points total (four goals, eight assists) on his current streak.

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At the other end, Ice Wolves’ defenceman Parker Leyton has been among his team’s best performers of late, with a goal Wednesday versus Kindersley to give him eight points (three goals, five assists) over his last 10 games.

Justen Maric will get the start Friday for the Battlefords, entering play with an 8-2-0-1 record through 11 games, to go along with a league-best 2.23 goals against average and .931 save percentage.

La Ronge is likely to give the nod to Topher Chirico, who is coming off a 33-save effort Wednesday against Kindersley. Chirico is 3-12-0 through 15 games with a 4.71 goals against average and a .886 save percentage this year.

Friday’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 X: @MartyMartyPxP1