Stars forward, Brad Blake takes the faceoff against Hounds captain, Kevin Anderson. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Third in three nights

North Stars head to Notre Dame in search of southern sweep

Feb 17, 2022 | 2:40 PM

Following back-to-back victories over Estevan and Weyburn the last two nights, the Battlefords North Stars will look to wrap their current three-in-three road trip in perfect 3-and-0 fashion, Thursday night at Notre Dame.

Team outlook

Facing the rival Hounds for the seventh of what will be eight times this season, the Stars lead the season series 4-2 through the first six games, though four of the six have been decided by just a single goal, with three going to overtime.

The North Stars (27-13-6) enter play second in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division and fourth overall in the league standings, with 60 points. Winners of two straight, last night’s 7-1 win over Weyburn saw six different players chip in with goals on the night.

Notre Dame (20-21-5) meanwhile, are in the midst of a playoff push. With 45 points the team sits just a single back of Kindersley for third in the division and the eighth and final playoff spot, though they do hold three games in-hand on the Klippers.

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Players to watch

Hounds forwards Kevin Anderson and Elliott Dutil sit third and fourth overall in the league scoring race with 60 (Anderson) and 58 (Dutil) points respectively. Anderson is coming off a two-assist outing in the Hounds’ 6-3 loss to Humboldt Tuesday, while Dutil also added a goal and a helper, to hit 30 goals on the season (second most in the SJHL).

The North Stars counter with some dynamic scoring of their own spread throughout the lineup.

Stars forward, Colby Bear is coming off a two point performance Wednesday (one goal, one assist), and will be another player to watch on the Stars’ top line alongside Jake Southgate and Dace Prymak. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW)

Stars’ leading scorer, Jake Southgate also hit a new milestone last night, notching his team-leading 20^th goal of the season in a two-point effort, while Ryland McNinch (two goals, one assist) and Zane Florence (one goal, two assists) are also coming off a big performance after being put together with now 16 (McNinch) and 14 (Florence) goals on the year.

Special teams

The North Stars and Hounds sit tied for third in power play effectiveness this season, each connecting on just over 22 per cent of their opportunities to factor in amongst the league’s elite on the man-advantage.

On the penalty kill, Notre Dame do hold a slight advantage at 81 per cent (sixth) to the Stars 78.5 (10^th), though the Battlefords have been a perfect 7/7 on the kill over their last two games.

Goaltending

Michael Harroch returns between the pipes for the Stars, after a 45-save shutout performance Tuesday against the Bruins (originally thought to be 39, but updated since). In 23 games this year, Harroch has posted a 13-4-4 record, along with a sterling 2.81 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.

Notre Dame are likely to give the call to Austin Elliott, who has started seven of the team’s last eight games since the start of February. In 28 games this year, Elliott has posted a 15-9-4 record, along with a 3.42 goals-against and .898 save percentage.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:30 p.m., with puck drop at 8 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

J. Southgate, D. Prymak, C. Bear

K. Klein, D. Esau, S. Kesslering

Z. Florence, R. McNinch, E. Scriven

M. Henry, B. Blake, T. Bahm

Defencemen:

W. Steele, R. Little

S. Witt, T. Gold

T. Ewart, E. Rask

Goaltenders:

M. Harroch

A. Schwab

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1