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Battlefords North Stars all set for home opener

Sep 14, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars will kick off their regular-season opener tonight at home.

The Civic Centre is going to be a mad house as fans will get their first look at a number of new players for the first time.

The pre-season got off to a bit of a rough start for the Stars with two losses to Bonnyville then a loss to Kindersley in the rookie game, but the North Stars finished the pre-season strong with two convincing victories over the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

The Stars’ management group, led by head coach and general manager, Brayden Klimosko is confident that they have assembled a group of players that can play the fast-paced, high-tempo style of game they as a staff want the club to play.

“We want to move pucks up quickly to the forwards and attack the zones quick,” Klimosko said. “On the forecheck we’re going to be attacking hard and to do that we have to be in shape, we have to take short shifts.”

Klimosko added the process of being able to play that quick-transition game is essential to the team having success on the ice this season.

“All those little things [are needed] in order for us to keep up to that pace and that’s kind of our game plan tonight,” he said. Making sure we’re taking 30-40 second [shifts] and getting the next guys out there as quickly as possible.”

Lively legs should not be an issue for Klimosko’s team in tonight’s game, as several players will be aiming to make an impact in their first Saskatchewan League action.

Eleven players on the North Stars roster have yet to make their SJHL debut. In addition, another five players on the team have played less than 10 career games in the league — 12 and six counting goaltenders.

Those with experience will surely be relied upon heavily, particularly in the early-going this season for coach Klimosko and the coaching staff.

One of those veterans is Owen Lamb.

Lamb will be playing in his 110th SJHL game tonight, a feat he was initially unaware of.

“I did not know that but I guess that will be pretty special, especially when you get to play in your home town,” he said. After a small pause and with a little bit of a laugh, Lamb continued, “I guess that’ll just give me a little bit more motivation for tonight.”  

That experience is just one of the reasons Lamb was identified as a member of the leadership core, and named an alternate captain of the team this week.

Another reason is his community pride and understanding of what it means to be a player for the North Stars organization.

Lamb said growing up he attended many North Star games with his family, and saw the Stars’ players as role models.

“I always looked up to the North Stars,” the 20-year-old said. “I was always too shy to go talk to them, but now I’m one of them and I love it.”  

When asked about receiving the ‘A,’ on his jersey, Lamb responded with humility, calling the gesture an honour.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “From the community I’ve received a lot of texts congratulating me and guys on the team have as well so I’m definitely excited to have the honour.”

Pregame for tonight’s game at the Civic Centre is at 7:15 p.m. on 1050 CJNB, with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

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