Josh Medernach scored a goal while playing prime matchup minutes against Kindersley's Linklater line Friday, keeping the Klippers' top unit off the scoresheet. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

In search of third striaght

North Stars host Klippers for final game ahead of holiday break

Dec 16, 2023 | 2:30 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to home ice in North Battleford Saturday, as the team host Kindersley for night two of their home-and-home with the rival Klippers, and final game ahead of a three-week break for the Christmas holidays.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and second overall in the league standings with a 21-7-2-1 record through 31 games. Coming off a 5-1 win in a wild game to open the weekend series in Kindersley Friday, the North Stars will be looking for a third straight to cap the 2023 calendar year.

The Klippers sit third in the division and sixth overall with a 13-14-2-2 record through 31 games, entering play just two points back of fifth-place Nipawin. Looking to answer back from last night’s defeat, the Klippers will also be playing to end 2023 on a high note.

Kian Bell leads the North Stars into play Saturday, coming off another two-point performance in Friday’s win with a goal and an assist. Having scored two-plus points in seven straight heading in, Bell has at least a single goal in each of his last 10, and sits third in league scoring with 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in just 18 games played.

Kindersley counter with an offense looking to get back on track, led by captain and Kindersley hometown product, Logan Linklater. Linklater paces the Klippers in points with 35 (11 goals, 24 assists) in 31 games, and picked up a three-point outing earlier in the week with a goal and two assists versus Notre Dame before being held off the scoresheet Friday for just the third time in his last 18 games.

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Both teams entered the weekend with a clear strategy to try to slow the others’ top players. Kindersley’s Kale Taylor was all over Bell both during play and in post-whistle scrums, goading him into 24 minutes in offsetting penalties with both in the box.

The North Stars held the Klippers’ top line, headlined by Linklater and rookie scoring leader Keenan Ingram (who entered the weekend with 10 goals in his last 10 games) off the scoresheet entirely, thanks largely to the play of Josh Medernach’s line with Brayden Sinclair and Jordan Grill. The three played the bulk of their minutes against the Klippers’ top trio, going shift-for-shift when the Stars’ could get the matchup on the road.

Logan Cunningham will make his third straight start for the Battlefords in goal, coming off a 22/23 save performance to open the weekend. Through his first two starts since joining the North Stars last weekend, Cunningham is 2-0-0-0 with a 2.50 goals against average and .915 save percentage.

Kindersley are likely to give the nod to Cody Jaman. Jaman stopped all 11 shots he faced in a relief effort to open the weekend, and enters play with an 8-7-1-0 record through 19 games, with a 3.28 goals against average and .905 save percentage.

Saturday’s game 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. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast. Saturday will be the North Stars last game until their return to play in the new year, Jan. 6 in Estevan.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1