North Stars defenceman Tynan Ewart. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
North Stars Hockey

North Stars looking for big weekend in Flin Flon

Feb 11, 2022 | 2:00 PM

It may be the middle of February, but the Battlefords North Stars will get their first look of the season against the Flin Flon Bombers with a two-game set at the Whitney Forum Friday and Saturday.

The Bombers are the leaders of the SJHL Sherwood Division with a 29-12-2-1 record, and are 6-2-2-0 in their last 10 games. The North Stars are second in the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division, and are not far behind the Bombers with a 25-11-5-1 record, 6-3-1 in their last 10.

Beauties on the bluelines

North Stars defenceman Tynan Ewart has been on a torrid hot streak as of late, vaulting him into the top three scoring defencemen in the SJHL. In his last 11 games, Ewart has registered at least one point in nine of them, producing three goals and 12 points in that span. Ewart now has five goals and 29 points in 42 games on the season, behind only Humboldt’s Noah Barlage (33 points in 48 games) and Bombers Xavier Lapointe (38 points in 44 games).

Lapointe has been an absolute menace on the Bombers’ blueline, as he already has 15 goals, almost double the runners-up. Bombers’ Cole Vardy is also tied for second in SJHL goals by defencemen with eight, tied with Yorkton’s Tanner Sklaruk.

Special teams

This weekend will feature the top two power plays in the SJHL. The North Stars are striking at 22.8 per cent, behind only the Bombers who score on 24.1 per cent of their power plays.

Penalty killing percentages are very similar between the two sides as well, with the Bombers having the slight edge at (79.9-78.5).

Goaltenders

The number one options for both teams have very similar stats, as North Stars’ Michael Harroch and Bombers’ Cal Schell both have the same save percentage (.923) while Schell has an edge in goals against average (2.38-2.79).

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

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

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