North Stars captain, Ryland McNinch (#20) will play his 100th career SJHL game Friday night against the Bombers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Potential Playoff Matchup

North Stars host Bombers for final regular season home game

Mar 11, 2022 | 2:00 PM

It will be a possible preview of the first round of the playoffs Friday night at the Access Communications Centre, when the Battlefords North Stars welcome the Flin Flon Bombers to town for their final home game of the regular season.

Just a single point separates the two teams in the SJHL standings heading into play to open the final weekend of the season.

The North Stars (33-16-6) sit fourth overall with 72 points, with just three games to go on their schedule. Winners of three of their last four, the Battlefords still have a chance to pass Melfort for third with a near perfect finish to the season.

A pair of the league’s hottest players heading into the weekend. Stars’ forward Dylan Esau has 10 goals and 18 points over his last nine games, while Flin Flon’s Drew Kuzma is riding a nine-game scoring streak with six goals and 13 points over the span. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The Stars sit five points back of the Mustang, who completed their season with 77 points while having a possible six points available should they win all three of their remaining games.

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The Bombers’ (34-20-3) are fifth with 71 points, and heading into their final game of the regular season will be looking to snap a two-game losing skid ahead of the playoffs. The team are guaranteed to finish fourth or fifth and play one of the North Stars or Mustangs in the opening round of the post-season.

Head coach of the Stars, Brayden Klimosko said the night’s game will be a great test that will surely feature a playoff-level intensity with the stakes at hand.

“It’s a big one, and we’re excited about it,” Klimosko said. “It should be a playoff-like atmosphere and we’re looking forward to it. We’re still pushing to finish third, but that all starts with a win here tonight.”

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

Forwards:

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

#21 J. Southgate, #20 R. McNinch, #23 K. Klein

#29 E. Waldie, #10 B. Blake, #25 C. Bear

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

Defencemen:

#26 W. Steele, #22 R. Little

#7 S. Witt, #3 Z. Florence

#2 T. Ewart, #14 G. Granger

Goaltlenders:

#1 A. Schwab

#35 C. Bell (AP)

INJ: #16 H. Doell (F), #9 D. Prymak (F), #4 J. Grill (D), #5 E. Rask (D), #6 T. Gold (D), #30 M. Harroch (G), #35 L. Kenyon (G)

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1