Stars forward, Ryland McNinch scored his first of the season Thursday versus La Ronge, and will look to build on that momentum as he and his teammates play host to Humboldt at the ACC, Friday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Back on the horse

North Stars look for quick bounce back as Broncos come to town Friday

Oct 1, 2021 | 2:01 PM

The Battlefords North Stars return to home ice Friday, for the team’s first matchup of the season versus the division rival, Humboldt Broncos.

The Stars (2-1-1) will enter play eager to bounce back from a tough 8-3 loss in La Ronge Thursday, that saw the team collapse in the third period to allow five unanswered goals against, for their first regulation loss of the season.

The Broncos meanwhile, enter play 2-0, following back-to-back wins over the Notre Dame Hounds, 5-1 and 9-1, last weekend.

Following the Stars’ rough finish to last game, the team will have a new look in many respects heading into Friday’s contest, as the club will dress 11 forwards and seven defencemen, rather than the standard 12 and six.

Jake Southgate and Dace Prymak, who have showed good chemistry together over the last two games, will flank center, Holden Doell on a new-look top unit brim with speed, skill and drive.

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KT Walters, who scored his second of the season last night, will then move to the left of the team’s most productive duo early, Emmett Wurst and Steven Kesslering. Wurst leads all Stars’ players with four goals, while Kesslering has a team-best seven points, after also scoring last game.

Rookie standout, Matthew Henry will line up next to Dylan Esau and Ryland McNinch on an all-situations third line, that should be full of confidence after McNinch scored his first of the season a night ago.

Bradley Blake will then join Tanner Klimpke as two-thirds of the fourth line, which will see different linemates cycle through on the right-wing side, throughout the night.

For Blake, Friday’s game will serve as his SJHL debut, after playing the last three seasons with Rothesay Netherwood School’s Triple-A team in New Brunswick. There, he scored 35 points in 49 games over the last two seasons.

On the blue line, Wilson Steele draws back into the lineup, on the top shutdown pair alongside Riley Little, after missing last night’s game due to precautionary measures.

Sam Witt, Jordan Grill, Easton Rask and Tynan Ewart will also remain in the lineup, while first-year rearguard, Easton Johns will make his league debut as well, on the blue line.

Johns put up four points in just five games in the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) last year, prior to the season cancellation.

In goal, Ulrik Roussel will get the nod for his second start of the season.

Roussel stopped 18-of-19 shots-against in relief against La Ronge Thursday, after making 23 saves on 26 shots in his first start, Tuesday versus Notre Dame. The 19-year-old enters play with a 3.26 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB, and CJNB.ca. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

J. Southgate, H. Doell, D. Prymak

KT Walters, E. Wurst, S. Kesslering

M. Henry, D. Esau, R. McNinch

B. Blake, T. Klimpke

Defencemen:

W. Steele, R. Little

S. Witt, J. Grill

E. Rask, T. Ewart

E. Johns

Goaltenders:

U. Roussel

C. Beson

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1