Jake Southgate scored a pair Friday, and now leads the team with 22 goals on the season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Looking for weekend sweep

North Stars host Klippers for night two of back-to-back

Mar 5, 2022 | 2:24 PM

Coming off a convincing 4-1 win in Kindersley Friday to open their home-and-home with the Klippers, the Battlefords North Stars will now look to make it two-straight – and officially eliminate their division rivals from playoff contention – Saturday night in North Battleford.

The North Stars (32-15-6) enter play fourth overall in the league standings with 70 points, with just five games remaining on their schedule. The team are just a single point back of Melfort for third (71 points), and a single up on Flin Flon for fifth (69 points), while holding two games in-hand on the Mustangs and a single in-hand on the Bombers.

Winners of five of their last six overall, the North Stars have played some of their best hockey of late, and will be entering their first home game since the SJHL announced the removal of all league-mandated COVID-19 measures at team rinks, which should lead to a strong turnout of fan attendance.

Kindersley (23-30-2) must win Saturday to avoid being mathematically eliminated from the league playoff race for the eighth and final playoff spot. With 48 points, the Klippers sit five back of Notre Dame for eighth, with just three games to go in their season, and Notre Dame holding a pair of games in-hand.

The Klippers will also be looking for a strong finish to the year, as the team attempts to snap a four-game losing skid with a strong performance.

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Lineup notes

Injuries continue to pile up for the North Stars, as defenceman Tanner Gold will miss Saturday’s game due to an upper body injury sustained Friday.

He joins a long list of injuries for the Battlefords, which also includes forwards Holden Doell, Ryland McNinch and Dace Prymak, defencemen Jordan Grill and Easton Rask, and goaltender Michael Harroch, who also remain sidelined Saturday.

Zane Florence, who returned to the lineup last game after missing the last pair due to illness, scored in his return, and will be moved back to his old position on the blue line – along with forward Keiton Klein who will also be moved back – to help cover for the rash of injuries.

Up front, ‘AP’ (Affiliated player) call-up, Marshall Light, who made his SJHL debut last Sunday, will return to the Stars for his second game with the team.

Still just 16-years-of-age, Light scored 30 points in 41 games of U18 AAA this year with the Estevan Bears. He is a North Stars commit for next season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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

North Stars lineup

#18 E. Wurst, #28 D. Esau, #24 S. Kesslering

#21 J. Southgate, #10 B. Blake, #25 C. Bear

#29 E. Waldie, #19 M. Light

#11 M. Henry, #17 T. Bahm, #27 E. Scriven

Defencemen:

#26 W. Steele, #22 R. Little

#7 S. Witt, #23 K. Klein

#2 T. Ewart, #3 Z. Florence

Goaltenders:

#35 L. Kenyon

#1 A. Schwab

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1