Stars forward Steven Kesslering is coming off his third straight multi-point game Friday, and has been lethal against the Hounds this season, with nine goals and 15 points through the first five games of the season series. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Heading in hot

North Stars host Hounds in search of fourth straight

Feb 25, 2023 | 1:51 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to action Saturday night on home ice, as they welcome the Notre Dame Hounds to town.

The North Stars (43-4-2-1) enter play winners of three-straight, having outscored their opposition 17-4 over their last two games, topping Yorkton 8-2 Tuesday, and Melville 9-2 Friday.

With six games to go on the regular season schedule, the Stars sit just five wins back of their franchise record 48 won back in 2016-17, during a 58-game schedule (current is 56).

The Hounds (17-24-4-2) enter play third in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division and ninth overall in the league standings. Nine points back of the final playoff spot with just nine games to go, the team will need to all but run the table down the stretch to sneak into a postseason spot.

Coming off a 6-2 loss to Kindersley Friday, the Hounds will be eager for a quick bounce back Saturday.

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The North Stars are coming off a night of milestones Friday, that saw Kian Bell become just the sixth player in franchise history to hit the 50-goal mark in a season, and just the fifth in the entire SJHL to do so over the last 20 years.

Coming off another three-point night, having added a pair of assists as well, Bell enters play with 17 goals and 24 points over his last 10 games. His 50 goals and 87 points in just 45 games lead the league in both categories.

Holden Doell, who sits just a single point back of Bell for the league lead in points with 86 in 43 games, has also been red-hot of late. Doell is coming off a four-point night (1G, 3A), and has five goals and 21 points over his last 10 games.

Jake Southgate, who sits third overall in the league scoring race with 73 points in 48 games is coming off his first career hat trick, and has eight goals and 18 points over his last 10.

Steven Kesslering became just the fourth North Star in the last five years to hit 30 goals with his goal and an assist Friday, and enters play with eight goals and 17 points in his last 10. Kesslering’s 30 goals are third in the league, while his 55 points are sixth.

Notre Dame are led offensively by forward Will Dawson. Dawson scored Friday, and enters play with goals in back-to-back games, pacing the Hounds with 21 goals and 41 points in 46 games.

Matchup centreman, Dane Probe sits third in Hounds scoring with 31 points in 47 games, with eight points in his last 10. He will likely see the bulk of his minutes going head-to-head with the Battlefords’ top line of Bell, Doell and Southgate.

In goal, the North Stars will hand the reigns to Josh Kotai, after a night off to open the weekend. Kotai is 29-3-2-1 with a league-leading 2.40 goals against average and .935 save percentage.

Notre Dame are likely to give the nod to Joann Tremblay-Kau, who has stopped 53 and 47 shots against over his last two starts against the Stars. Tremblay-Kau is 4-8-2-0 this season with a 4.60 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

Saturday’s game 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.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1