North Stars face tough test in Terriers

With Matthias Urbanski out at least a couple of months already, forward Ryan Gil left in the first period of Friday’s contest and did not return due to an upper body injury. For the time being, Gil can be considered day-to-day.

To fill the void up front, the North Stars have called up AP forward, Adam Kydd. A 16-year-old with the Regina Pat Canadians Midget AAA team, Kydd has seven goals, 23 points in this, his first full season in the SMHL.

Saturday night against the Terriers will mark Kydd’s SJHL debut.

While the Stars’ blueline will be an official game-time decision, the team’s “big three,” on the backend, of Cody Spagrud, Matthew Fletcher and Seth Summers, are sure to see a lot of ice time tonight with a lethal Terriers’ offensive attack barking at the door.

Yorkton is 24-21-1 through 46 games, but have hit a bit of a rough patch as of late, having lost two-straight and seven of their last 10.

In a dog-fight of their own when it comes to vying for top of the Viterra Division, the Terriers sit just two points back of Estevan for top spot as of last night.

Jared Legien leads a Yorkton offense that ranks second in the SJHL, having scored 185 goals through 46 games, good for just over four goals per game on average.

In just 42 games played, Legien’s 35 goals place him third in the league goal-scoring race, while the forward’s 65 points slot him fifth.

Just five points back of Legien, is his teammate Chantz Petruic. A diminutive center iceman, Petruic plays a shifty, skilled game with a penchant for making plays in tight quarters, as evidenced by the Moose Jaw, Sask. native’s 38 assists, good for fourth best in the league.

The Terriers’ offensive contribution, however; does not stop there. The team also a boasts a third 50-plus point scorer in center, Branden Klatt, and two 40-plus point men in recently-turned 21-year-old, Colby Brandt and rookie sensation, Aiden Bulych.

Bulych leads all freshmen in scoring this season with 40 points through 46 games, and is a leading candidate to take home Rookie of the Year honours at season’s end.

As for the goaltending dual between the two sides, tending the pipes tonight for the Stars will be Joel Grzybowski who will return to action tonight after receiving the night off Friday.

Grzybowski holds a 2.65 goals-against average and .912 save percentage as the 19-year-old will make his league-high 36th start tonight.

Grzybowski backstopped the team in each of their back-to-back games last weekend against the Flin Flon Bombers and was nothing short of outstanding throughout the weekend, turning aside a combined 73 shots over the two games.

While not-yet officially confirmed, Andrew Henderson is expected to get the nod at the other end of the ice for Yorkton.

Henderson is coming off a performance Friday night against the Klippers that saw the 6-foot-5 netminder deny 33 of the 37 shots fired his way.

While Ryan Ouellette was the man-to-get-the-start the last time these teams played, Jan. 11 against the Stars, Henderson did see some time in that game as the goalie stopped eight of nine shots against in his relief appearance.

Fans can catch all of tonight’s action on 1050 CJNB, beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup at a glance

Forwards:

B. Buziak, M. Sinclair, O. Lamb

E. Loon-Stewardson, Q. Loon-Stewardson, A. Kydd

A. Becker, D. Heino, R. Doig

K. Boser, D. Esau, B. Gammer

Defensemen:

TBD

Goaltenders:

J. Grzybowski

C. Duran

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars face tough test in Terriers

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