North Stars play Oct. 4 and 5 at the Access Communications Centre against the La Ronge Ice Wolves with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. for both games. (Byron Hildebrand/Facebook)

By Austin Mattes

North Stars Week Preview

North Stars getting ready for weekend series against La Ronge

Oct 1, 2024 | 11:44 AM

After beating the Nipawin Hawks this past weekend, the Battlefords North Stars are now getting ready for a two-game series this weekend against the La Ronge Ice Wolves at the Access Communications Centre.

The Ice Wolves had a decent start to the season, boasting a 2-1-1 record, grabbing wins against the Niapwin Hawks and Flin Flon Bombers. Their losses came from a 3-2 OT loss to defending champions, Melfort Mustangs and a 5-2 loss in a rematch against the Bombers this past Saturday.

After failing to make the playoffs last season and falling to second last in league standings with a 16-35-3-2 record, the Ice Wolves are looking to make a bang this season and they already have by getting off to a better start than the year prior with veterans like Mason Bueckert and Zane Normand stepping up.

Last season, Bueckert was the Ice Wolves leading scorer with 20 goals and 43 assists for 63 points. This season, he already notched one goal and four assists for five points in just four games. For Normand, he has already made impressive progress from last season, where he only had five goals and 10 assists in 48 games. Already this season, he has the most goals on the team with three and has scored in all three games he has played in.

Taking a look at last season between La Ronge and Battlefords, the North Stars swept the Ice Wolves, winning all six games they played against each other. In the past five years, the Ice Wolves have been able to find some success against the North Stars but a majority of the time it’s been Battlefords taking the reins, going 12-4-2-0 against La Ronge.

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“I expect a good, fast-paced game with La Ronge, they are just a physical team. They keep things simple, they’re in your face, so be ready for a fast-paced game and a good battle between the two of us,” said Battlefords North Stars Coach Owen Lamb.

The North Stars have been led by top veterans like Elijah Anderson, Rylan Williams, Jackson Allan and Colton Getzlaff. All four of them have managed to get a point in each game so far and have had a big presence on the ice defensively too. Going into this weekend, if the team wants to continue its success, they will need their veterans to continue to step up like they have been and lead the charge against La Ronge.

The games this weekend are Oct. 4 and 5 at the Access Communications Centre, both against the La Ronge Ice Wolves with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. for both games.

You can listen to Friday night’s game on CJNB/CJNS and Saturday’s game on 93.3 Beach Radio.

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Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes