North Stars' forward, Ben Portner enters play Wednesday on a roll, coming off a two-goal, three-point night over the weekend against Notre Dame. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey Night in NB

North Stars host Bruins in search of seventh straight

Jan 17, 2024 | 2:47 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Wednesday night on home ice, as the team welcomes the Estevan Bruins to town at the Access Communications Centre.

The North Stars enter play first in the Nutrien Division and second overall in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, with a 25-7-2-1 record through 35 games. With 53 points the Stars lead a hotly contested race for second with third-place Melfort, who are tied in points with 53 (in three more games); and fourth-place Humboldt, just a single back at 52 points (in one more game played).

The North Stars enter the evening having won six straight, with at least a single point in each of their last 11. The team is coming off most recently, a 6-2 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.

Estevan is second in the Viterra Division and eighth overall in the league standings with a 15-16-1-2 record through 34 games. With 33 points, the Bruins are in the midst of a standings logjam of their own with just two points separating fifth-through-ninth. Melville, Nipawin, and Kindersley each sit just a single point up on the Bruins, with ninth-place Weyburn just a point back.

Estevan will be looking for a quick bounce-back from a 5-4 overtime loss in Kindersley Tuesday night, having still picked up at least a single point in three straight.

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Wednesday night’s matchup will feature two of the top forward lines in the SJHL facing off head-to-head.

The North Stars’ top-line trio of Kian Bell, Ben Portner, and Brad Blake combined for six points (three goals, three assists) Saturday, and on the season, Bell’s 51 points in 22 games are just two back of the league lead, while Portner has 38 in 32 games, and Blake has 36 in 35.

Estevan counters with a recently-assembled top unit of Ilia Chmelevski (39 points), Keagon Little (38 points), and Zach Burfoot (19 points). Since being put together three games ago, the three have been red-hot, combining for eight goals and 17 points.

In goal, the North Stars will see Matthew MacArthur make his second start with the team since being acquired early in the New Year. MacArthur is coming off a 27-save shutout performance in his North Stars’ debut against Notre Dame, with a 1-0-0-0 record, and 0.00 goals against average, and 1.000 save percentage.

The Bruins are likely to give the nod to Jackson Miller, who has started each of the first four meetings of the season series. In 14 games this season, Miller is 5-6-0-1 with a 3.37 goals against average and .889 save percentage.

Wednesday’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 Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1