North Stars' forward Josh Medernach scored his fourth of the season Saturday, and enters play with three goals and five points in his last five games. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Afternoon Start

North Stars shoot for fifth straight at Notre Dame

Jan 7, 2024 | 2:03 PM

Coming off a 3-1 win in their return to action Saturday night in Estevan, the Battlefords North Stars will now look to make it two in a row to open the New Year, and five straight overall, Sunday afternoon in a matinee contest with the Notre Dame Hounds.

Sunday’s showdown in Wilcox will be just the third game of the season series between the two Nutrien Division foes, but the third since Nov. 29. The Stars are 2-0-0-0 through the first two meetings.

The North Stars enter play first in the division and third overall in the SJHL standings, with a 23-7-2-1 record through 33 games. With 49 points, the Stars sit just two back of second-place Melfort and two ahead of fourth-place Humboldt, in a congested race near the top of the standings.

Notre Dame sit fourth in the division and 12th overall heading into play, with an 8-24-1-0 record through 33 games. With 17 points, the team will be looking to snap a two-game skid and get back in the win column in their first home game of 2024.

Headlining Sunday’s matchup will be the SJHL debut of newly-acquired North Stars’ goaltender, Matthew MacArthur, who will make his first start with the team.

Acquired Friday from the Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in exchange for a Player Development Fee (PDF), MacArthur is a 6-foot-2 puck-stopper from Barrington, IL., USA, that posted a 4-2-1 record with a 2.81 goals against average and .884 save percentage in seven games with the Bruins.

Sunday’s afternoon game will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 4 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 4:30 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast.

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

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