North Stars look for seventh straight, in heavyweight tilt with Bruins

Estevan are 5-0-1 over their last six, and have won eight of their last 10 as well, following a convincing 6-1 win over Yorkton Tuesday night.

Each featuring a dynamic offence of depth and skill, the two are tied for the most goals scored this season, with exactly 100 goals apiece through 24 (Stars) and 23 (Bruins) games, respectively.

Players to watch

Bruins’ forward, Mark Rumsey sits atop the league scoring race this season in both goals (19) and points (37), and has only continued his scorching play of late.

The 6’3 winger has scored seven goals in his last six games, and 14 goals, 26 points over his last 12 outings, dating back to late-October.

Caelen Fitzpatrick sits second on the Bruins with 25 points in 23 games, coming off a two-goal performance against the Terriers; while Mikol Sartor (24 points in 22 games) and Olivier Pouliot (23 in 23) give Estevan two more players who are point-per-game or better this year.

Jake Southgate and Mark Rumsey lead their teams in scoring, and will go head-to-head Friday night in Estevan. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The North Stars attack is led by Jake Southgate, who has scored 27 points this season. Southgate’s 11 goals are tied for the team lead with Steven Kesslering, while his 16 assists are also tied for a club-best with Dylan Esau.

Southgate and linemates, Holden Doell and Zane Florence have combined for four goals, 12 points over their last two games, since being reunited with Doell’s return to the lineup off injury.

Kesslering also had a pair of goals Thursday, just a game after his linemate Esau added a pair of his own against Nipawin.

Special Teams

Following another big night with a pair of power play goals versus the Hounds, the North Stars now sit third in the league on the man-advantage, clicking at just under 24 per cent.

The Battlefords penalty kill (76 per cent) has also been much improved of late, having given up just a single goal-against over their last four games, going 18-for-19 over the span.

Estevan sit just back of the Stars in power play efficiency, converting on just under 23 per cent of their chances (fourth), while also owning the league’s top penalty kill, effective nearly 92 per cent of the time.

Goaltending

In addition to the league’s top two offences, Friday’s contest will also showcase two of the premier goaltenders in the SJHL.

Michael Harroch will make his fifth straight appearance for the Battlefords, after making 33 saves in Thursday’s win over the Hounds.

Through his first 10 games, Harroch has posted a 7-1-1 record, with a 2.37 goals-against average and .934 save percentage.

Estevan’s Boston Bilous has also been a workhorse for the Bruins, starting 19 of his team’s first 23 games. Coming off a 30-save night against Yorkton, Bilous has posted a 1.84 goals-against average and .933 save percentage this year.

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

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

J. Southgate, H. Doell, Z. Florence

M. Henry, D. Esau, S. S. Kesslering

K.T. Walters, R. McNinch, D. Prymak

E. Scriven, E. Wurst, K. Klein

Defencemen:

E. Rask, R. Little

S. Witt, O. Lugowski

T. Ewart, J. Grill

Goaltenders:

M. Harroch

L. Kenyon

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars look for seventh straight, in heavyweight tilt with Bruins

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