Colby Bear pictured here on the face-off versus Kindersley, Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Going for 14th straight

Stars shoot for weekend sweep in Kindersley

Jan 7, 2023 | 2:00 PM

Coming off a 5-1 win over the rival Klippers at home Friday, the Battlefords North Stars will return to play Saturday night, looking to sweep the weekend home-and-home series as the scene shifts to Kindersley.

The North Stars (30-0-2-1) enter play in top spot of the league standings, in search of their 14^th straight win, as they embark on their first road game of ’23.

The Klippers (6-18-2-4) are fourth in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division, and 12^th overall, looking to snap a five-game losing skid, and get back on track with just one win in their last 10, heading into their first home game of the New Year.

Kian Bell (56 points in 30 games) and Holden Doell (55 in 27 games) sit 1-2 in league scoring heading into Saturday’s contest, each coming off a multi-point effort, to open the weekend.

Bell has six multi-point games in his last seven for eight goals and 15 points over the span. Doell enters play on an 11-game point streak, including eight multi-point outings, for seven goals and 22 points over his last 11 games.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

Also entering play red-hot for the Battlefords are Keiton Klein and Steven Kesslering.

With a pair of goals Friday, Klein now has three in his last two games, with six points in his last six, heading into Saturday. Kesslering has goals in back-to-back games as well, with five goals and eight points over his last 10.

At the other end, Kindersley’s lone goal Friday was scored on a beautiful connection by the Paplawski twins, who can be expected to be at the forefront of things offensively for the Klippers again Saturday.

Spencer Paplawski, who leads Kindersley with 18 points in 30 games this season, scored the Klippers’ goal on 2-on-1 passing play set up by his brother Adam, who is tied for third in team scoring with 12 points on the year.

Also among the players to watch on the Kindersley end, is veteran centre Aidan Bangs, who the team will aim to get out there whenever possible against the Stars’ top line of Bell, Doell, and Jake Southgate.

Between the pipes, Josh Kotai will return to the crease for the Stars, after Maric got the Friday start. In 24 games this year, Kotai is 21-0-2-1 with a league-leading 2.03 goals against average and .942 save percentage.

At the other end, Cody Jaman could get the start for the second straight game, after making a number of 10-bell stops to keep his team within a pair of goals into the third period, Friday. In 18 games this season, Jaman is 5-9-2-1 with a 3.32 goals against average and .916 save percentage.

Saturday’s game in Kindersley 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. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1