Stars forward Brad Blake has played some of his best hockey of late, and is coming off a multi-point performance (1G, 1A) Thursday night at Notre Dame. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Can set new franchise record

North Stars head to Weyburn in search of 16th straight

Jan 13, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars have a chance to make franchise history Friday night in Weyburn.

The Stars will shoot for a new regular season club record of 16-straight victories, when they return to play on night two of their three-in-three road swing, against the Red Wings.

The North Stars (32-0-2-1) lead the SJHL and are coming off a 9-6 victory over Notre Dame Thursday that saw all four lines play a part in the scoring, with six different players chipping in with at least a goal apiece.

The Red Wings (13-19-0-1) sit second in the Viterra Division and ninth overall, just a single point back of Notre Dame for the eighth and final playoff spot.

With a .500 record (5-5) over their last 10, the Wings will be looking to bounce back from a 6-3 loss to the Hounds earlier in the week, with still two wins through their first three games to open the New Year.

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The North Stars’ offense is led into play Friday, coming off two-goal performances from each of Kian Bell, Steven Kesslering, and Riley Girod to open the trip. Perhaps most impressive is that all three play on separate forward lines.

Bell’s two-goal night extended his league-leading total to 32 goals in 31 games, while his 61 points also pace all players. He enters play in Weyburn with now five goals and seven points over his last three games.

Kesslering’s pair on the power play bring his total to four in his last four games and played a big role in the Stars’ 3/7 billing with the man advantage. With an assist on the night as well, Kesslering now has 19 goals and 34 points in 33 games this year, while Girod’s pair give him four goals and 10 points over his last 10 games.

Evan Waldie also scored for the Stars Thursday night at Notre Dame, for his sixth of the season and second in his last four games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

At the other end, Weyburn is led by top-10 scorer, Ryley Morgan, who sits ninth overall in league points with 36 in 31 games, including 12 in nine games since being acquired by the Wings from La Ronge in early December.

Morgan scored the O.T. winner against the Stars in the Battlefords’ last defeat, more than two months ago, on Nov. 11 in La Ronge. He has three points in his last two games heading into play.

In goal, the Stars will return to Josh Kotai between the pipes. Kotai is coming off just his third game this season allowing four goals or more and leads all goaltenders with 23 wins through his first 26 games. His 2.15 goals against average and .940 save percentage also pace all at the position.

Weyburn is likely to hand the reigns to Dazza Mitchell, who has started the team’s first three games of the New Year. Mitchell is coming off a 44-save effort Tuesday against Notre Dame, with nine wins and a 2.89 goals against average and .914 save percentage in 18 games this year.

Friday’s game in Weyburn will be available on 1050 CJNB. A bit of an earlier start than usual, the Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 6:30 p.m., with puck drop at 7 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1