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North Stars aim to bank win against Millionaires

Oct 12, 2018 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars have been rolling as of late, having won four of their last five games, and surrendering only one regulation loss over their last seven, heading into this evening.

On the other side of the coin, the Stars’ opponent tonight, the Melville Millionaires, are coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Weyburn Red Wings Wednesday that spelt as much relief as it did joy. The victory snapped what was a six-game losing skid, with all six loses coming on a nightmarish road trip dating back to the league showcase, and carrying on throughout the backend of September and early going of October.

Despite their recent success, the Battlefords North Stars will see some key changes up front for tonight’s game against the Millionaires.

Offensive juggernauts MacGregor Sinclair, and Matthias Urbanski, will be joined on the team’s top line by versatile forward, Ryan Gil.

Sinclair is coming off a two assist performance, while Urbanski has three goals in his last three games. The pair have been nothing short of dynamic, and with the added intangibles and ability to generate high-danger scoring chances brought forth by Gil, this line should prove to be a lethal threat against the Millionaires.

Owen Lamb, with four goals in his last five games and seven points in his last six, has been the motor that propels the second line, along with fellow veterans, Braydon Buziak and Elijah Loon-Stewardson. The trio have imposed their will on the opposition defence, wearing down defenders deep in the attacking zone on the cycle game, while also keeping goaltenders busy, funneling pucks and traffic on goal.

Raging bull, Regan Doig, will highlight his versatility and shift to the centre-ice position on the third line, where he’ll be flanked by Brett Gammer on his right and Quintin Loon-Stewardson on his left. With speed, skill and a relentless mentality, all three players have shown the capability to make plays at high speed and generate scoring chances from forechecking pressure, as evidenced by Brett Gammer’s go-ahead goal late in the second period of the Stars’ last game against the Nipawin Hawks. Gammer’s tally was the result of good down-low pressure deep off of an offensive zone faceoff for the Stars.

The Fourth unit will consist of Shaye Sommerfeld in the middle, along with Dylan Esau and Austin Becker. Possessing quick feet and grit that can finish; this is an energy unit that will surely not shy away from the heavy traffic areas, while also playing an extremely sound game at both ends of the ice.

On the back end, Tanner Scott, coming off a couple excellent chances in his last game will suit up once again alongside North Stars’ captain, Cody Spagrud, who has quietly put up six points through his team’s first nine games.

Matthew Fletcher, who’s also come alive offensively as of late, scoring a goal in each of his team’s last two games, will line up opposite of St. Albert, Alberta’s Seth Summers, on a duo that has been all but attached at the hip for the better part of the season to this point.

Austin Shumanski will look to bring his unforgiving physicality to the forefront once again this evening, paired alongside 18-year-old defender, Ryan Granville, who brings crisp puck movement to the forefront.  

In goal this evening for the Stars is netminder Adam Dmyterko. For the Saskatoon product, Dmyterko, tonight will mark his first career SJHL start, after playing 19 games last season with the Saskatoon Blazers of the SMHL.

Fans of the North Stars can catch all of the action with the pregame show starting at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on CJNB. 

 

Stars’ lineup at a glance

Forwards:

M. Urbanski, M. Sinclair, R. Gil

E. Loon-Stewardson, B. Buziak, O. Lamb

Q. Loon-Stewardson, R. Doig, B. Gammer

A. Becker, S. Sommerfeld, D. Esau

Defence:

T. Scott, C. Spagrud

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

A. Shumanski, R. Granville

Goaltenders:

A. Dmyterko

J. Grzybowski

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1