North Stars' forward, Hunter Burgeson lines up for the faceoff with Kindersley's Ethan Mack. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Saturday night Spotlight

North Stars wrap regular season in final showdown with Klippers

Mar 16, 2024 | 3:14 PM

Coming off a 5-3 win to open the weekend Friday, the Battlefords North Stars will wrap up their regular season schedule in Kindersley Saturday night, closing out their weekend home-and-home with the rival, Kindersley Klippers.

The North Stars enter play second in the Nutrien Division and fourth overall in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings, with a 35-15-5 record. With 75 points, the team sits just a single back of Humboldt for tops in the division and third overall, needing a win and a Broncos’ loss to leapfrog them on the final night of regular season play across the league.

The Klippers enter play third in the division and eighth overall, with a 23-25-7 record. With 53 points the team sits just a single back of Estevan for seventh and – like the North Stars – they can still elevate their standing with a win and an Estevan loss.

With another two goals and an assist Friday, Brayden Sinclair now has 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 40 games, to sit third in rookie scoring despite his missed time this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The North Stars’ win Friday was headlined by a three-point night from Brayden Sinclair in his return to the lineup after missing the last month with an upper-body injury. Sinclair will move to left wing on the Ben Portner line Saturday, with Brad Blake on the right, in the absence of leading scorer, Kian Bell.

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Coming off a wild game Friday night that saw the North Stars and Klippers combine for 96 minutes in penalties, 64 of which coming in the third period alone, the North Stars will be keeping a few players out of the lineup for precautionary measures with the playoffs just around the corner.

In addition to Bell, captain Tanner Gold, and forwards Jackson Allan and Josh Medernach are among the players given a night off Saturday, while Defenceman of the Year finalist, Alex Izyk also remains away on a school visit this weekend.

Assistant captain, Riley Girod will draw back in the lineup after serving his one-game suspension for being involved in the second fight during a stoppage against Humboldt, while ‘AP’ call-ups Jace Rask and Linken Fisher will suit up for their second game each donning the North Stars’ crest.

In goal, Logan Cunningham will make his second straight start, coming off a 38-save performance a night ago to backstop the team to the win. In 16 games this season, Cunningham is 12-3-0 with a 3.54 goals against average and .890 save percentage.

Saturday’s regular season finale will be available on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will begin 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