The North Stars and Klippers will be well-acquainted by the early part of the season, as the teams will play three times in the preseason, before opening the season with a home and home later this month. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Stars, Klippers showdown

North Stars ‘excited and ready to go’ ahead of first preseason home game

Sep 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM

“I don’t know, probably 24 or 25,” North Stars defenceman, Zane Florence said with a laugh.

That, after the blue liner was asked how many tickets he expected to be on the hook for Wednesday, when the Battlefords North Stars welcome the Kindersley Klippers to town for their first preseason home game.

“I’m sure my whole family will be here, and all my friends are going to be coming to watch, so it’ll be nice to see everybody come out and hopefully we can play a good game for them,” the Battlefords local added.

After all, while it may only be an exhibition contest, Wednesday’s game will mark the first time since Oct. 29 of last year (also a preseason contest) that the North Stars will be on the ice at the Access Communications Centre, for a home game in the community.

A look at the projected lineups for Wednesday night’s game in North Battleford. (Twitter/North Stars)

The Stars opened their preseason Monday in Kindersley, with back-to-back 4-2 victories over the Klippers in both the rookie game to start the day, and the main camp preseason opener, later in the afternoon.

Second-year forward, KT Walters scored for the Stars in the team’s opener and said now having the chance to get back in front of the home crowd, it’s something the team has been looking forward to since camp began.

“We’re all excited, and we’re ready to go,” Walters said. “It’s been almost a year since we last played here, so everybody’s itching to get back on the ice tonight. We’re looking forward to it, and I’m sure the fans are too.”

Head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said as the roster begins to take shape, with game one of the regular season just a couple of weeks away, it will be nice to return to the ACC for both the team and community alike.

“I think it will be fun seeing that home crowd again, and it’ll be exciting for the fans and the players, and should make for an exciting night and week,” Klimosko said.

Puck drop Wednesday will take place at 7:30 p.m., with admission available at the door.

To view the North Stars full preseason schedule, click here.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcasts on 1050 CJNB will begin with the start of the regular season, Sept. 24 in North Battleford.

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

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