North Stars host Terriers in grudge match at the Civic Centre

The team posted an alarming 1-6 record through their first seven games this year, and were actually in last spot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings heading into their first matchup with the North Stars. After taking that game 6-2, however, the win appears to have sparked the club.

Since that time, the Terriers appear to have turned over a new leaf. The team sits in top spot of the Viterra Division standings and has won seven of their last 10 games heading into Saturday night. Yorkton will travel to the Battlefords riding high on the strength of a five-game winning streak.

A large reason for the team’s turnaround has been the play of their superstar center-iceman, Chantz Petruic.

Petruic entered the campaign with lofty expectations as the highest scoring player last season eligible to return this year. He collected a staggering 32 goals, 84 points over 56 games his 19-year-old season.

This year, the Moose Jaw, product has picked up right where he left off, leading the scoring race with 18 goals, 38 points through just 19 games played.

Perhaps most impressively, however, is the margin with which Petruic leads his own team offensively. The forward’s 18 goals are double his next closest teammate, while his 38 points are a whopping 20 more than second place as well.

All stats considered, if any team can perhaps slow down the Terriers’ and their phenom captain, it may be the North Stars.

The Stars have allowed the fewest goals-against in the league this season, having given up just 44 through 19 games, or just-over two goals-against per contest.

Petruic and company will likely see a large dose of the Battlefords’ core-four on the back-end Saturday, consisting of rearguards Matthew Fletcher, Seth Summers, Noah Form and Dylan McCabe.

While the defence will remain consistent with rookie standouts Liam Antoniuk and Walter Somers getting the nod on the third pair to complete the unit, the offense and goaltending will look a bit different for the Stars Saturday.

Forward Brett Gammer, who has been a key piece of the team’s dominance at both ends of the ice this season, will miss the night’s action.

With 16 points through his first 19 games this year, Gammer’s role in the top six will be a big hole to fill.

Matthias Urbanski will shift from the right-side into the middle on line two, alongside Austin Becker, who leads the team with 24 points this year. Right winger, Dylan Easu will then also shift up into the top six unit alongside the pair.

Esau’s move will then also allow both Ryland McNinch and Steven Kesslering to plug into line three, alongside Kaden Boser. Bringing speed, grit and playmaking ability, the three should provide another offensive threat for the team on the evening.

In goal, another of the team’s brightest young stars will get an opportunity as well.

Eighteen-year-old Austin Schwab will get the call between the pipes, as the rookie will make his third start of the season.

Schwab has been dynamite when given the nod this season, posting a 2-0 record to go along with a 1.95 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 93.3 The Rock. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

R. Nivon, Q. Loon-Stewardson, E. Loon-Stewardson

A. Becker, M. Urbanski, D. Esau

K. Boser, R. McNinch, S. Kesslering

C. Reagan, D. Prymak, L. Spence

Defencemen:

N. Form, D. McCabe

S. Summers, M. Fletcher

L. Antoniuk, W. Somers

Goaltenders:

A. Schwab

A. Dmyterko

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars host Terriers in grudge match at the Civic Centre

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