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Battlefords local, Kobie Anderson lines up opposite Nipawin hometown product, Finley Radloff. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
By Martin Martinson
Home-and-home Concludes

North Stars aim for weekend sweep in Nipawin

Nov 25, 2023 | 2:18 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night in Nipawin, for part two of their weekend home-and-home with the Nipawin Hawks.

The North Stars enter play leading the Nutrien Division and second overall in the league standings with a 17-7-0-1 record through 25 games. Coming off a 6-3 win to open the weekend series between the two sides, the North Stars have won 11 of their last 12 heading into Saturday.

The Hawks are third in the Sherwood Division and fifth overall in the league standings heading into their return to home ice. With a 12-12-0-1 record through 25 games, Nipawin has won two of their last three, looking to rebound from last night’s loss in the Battlefords.

With another goal and two assists Friday, North Stars’ forward Kian Bell has continued his rapid ascent up the league scoring race, now sitting fourth overall with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in just 12 games played.

Brad Blake, who rejoined Bell and Ben Portner on the Stars’ top line Friday, is also coming off a multi-point effort of note. With another two-goal performance, Blake now sits fourth in team scoring with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 25 games, already matching his career high for goals and just six points back of his personal benchmark for points, set last year in 51 games.

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Nipawin are led into play by a top-10 scorer of their own, in Braxton Buckberger. Seventh overall in the league scoring race with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 25 games, Buckberger assisted on Nipawin’s opening goal Friday, and now has at least a single point in 11 of his last 12 games.

Special teams’ play was a deciding factor as anticipated Friday, as the North Stars scored three power play goals, while holding the Hawks scoreless on their two opportunities.

The North Stars enter play just over 22 percent on the power play (fifth overall) and just under 81 percent on the penalty kill (fifth overall). Nipawin are just over 23 percent on the PP (third) and 86 percent on the PK (second).

Joey Hawco will get the start for the North Stars Saturday, after Ben Dardis opened the weekend series. Hawco is 6-4-0-0 with a 3.25 goals against average and .893 save percentage this year.

Nipawin will go back to starter Damon Cunningham, giving the 19-year-old a chance for a quick bounce back. Cunningham allowed all six North Stars’ goals Friday, but still leads all rookies at the position with a 2.74 goals against average and .924 save percentage through 16 games (9-6-0-1).

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

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