North Stars return home for first showdown with Hounds

“[There is] a little bit of nervousness, but a lot of excitement too, to get between the pipes tonight,” Roussel said, looking ahead to the evening.

The 19-year-old, who spent last season with Colorado of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), said he’s looking forward to the evening, following a strong camp with the team.

“There’s a lot more intensity here [in the SJHL], with a lot more talent, so it makes for a good challenge in practice and now heading into the games,” he said.

Outside the crease, the Stars will also see a couple of changes up front in their return to the ACC, including the first game back in North Stars’ black and silver for forward, Dace Prymak.

Prymak, who was dealt to the Weyburn Red Wings in late 2019, as part of the Stars’ package for all-Star forward Ben Hiltz, was reacquired by the team following camp this fall. He will line up alongside Jake Southgate and KT Walters for his season debut Tuesday, on a lethal fourth unit of speed and skill.

Forward Zane Florence, who missed Saturday’s game due to an upper body injury sustained opening night, will also return to the team’s lineup. The North Battleford local will take to the left of center Dylan Esau and Tanner Klimpke, who shifts to the right wing side.

The two lines will provide nice complement to the Holden Doell, and Emmett Wurst-centered units, after the two players combined for three goals in the team’s performance Saturday.

Doell will again line up between Ryland McNinch and Ethan Scriven, while Wurst will be flanked by Matthew Henry and Steven Kesslering.

After scoring another two goals Saturday, and four total on the weekend, the early-season HWK (pronounced “Hawk”) line of Henry (1A, 1 fight), Wurst (3G) and Kesslering (1G, 2A) has been perhaps the biggest boon for the team early. Together they have showed great spark at both ends of the rink, through both tangible and intangible results (grit, forechecking pressure, defensive acumen, etc).

On the blue line, the Stars will leave their three defence-pairs untouched, after showing good chemistry through the first two games.

Veterans, Wilson Steele (19-years-old) and Riley Little (20) remain the team’s go-to matchup unit, while fellow 20-year-old, Sam Witt, will stick alongside rookie, Jordan Grill.

Witt scored his first of the season Saturday, while Grill is also coming off a standout performance as the Scott Campbell Dodge Iron Man/RAM Never Quits, skating the puck with confidence often through Saturday night’s contest.

Tynan Ewart, who has embraced his role as top unit power play quarterback, and Easton Rask, who earned the Sandberg Collision Centre Collision of the Game, with a pair of perfectly-crafted hipchecks Saturday, round out the top six on the backend.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available Tuesday on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will start at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

E. Scriven, H. Doell, R. McNinch

M. Henry, E. Wurst, S. Kesslering

Z. Florence, D. Esau, T. Klimpke

J. Southgate D. Prymak, KT Walters

Defencemen:

W. Steele, R. Little

S. Witt, J. Grill

T. Ewart, E. Rask

Goaltenders:

U. Roussel

C. Beson

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars return home for first showdown with Hounds

What's Trending