Forward Emmett Wurst has established himself as a versatile two-way force for the North Stars this season. He and his teammates will look for their fifth straight win Saturday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Two of league's hottest

Winning streaks collide as North Stars host La Ronge

Feb 5, 2022 | 2:10 PM

Winners of four straight, the Battlefords North Stars will put their streak on the line Saturday, as they aim for their fifth, against the red-hot La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Team outlook

The North Stars (25-10-5) enter play Saturday, fifth overall in the league standings with 55 points, despite playing the fewest games of any team in the league.

The team is especially hot of late, coming off a 5-3 win to open the weekend against Melfort, that saw five different players cash in for goals on the night.

La Ronge (20-19-3), sit seventh overall in the league standings with 43 points, and are also on a roll of late, having won five straight heading into play.

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Most recently, the Ice Wolves took back-to-back 4-3 and 4-1 wins over Flin Flon, in their home-and-home with the Bombers last weekend.

Players to watch

Stars forward, Jake Southgate was named runner-up for SJHL Forward of the Month Friday, for his performance of late, which saw him pick up 11 points in six games through the month of January. In 39 games this year, Southgate leads the Stars with 18 goals, 24 assists and 42 points.

Dylan Esau, who scored his 11^th of the year Friday, sits second in team scoring with 35 points. He will be flanked by Evan Waldie who draws back into the lineup, and Keiton Klein, who has seven points in seven games since the turn of the new year.

La Ronge’s Aaron Greyeyes has scored three goals in his last three games, including the overtime game winner last Friday against Flin Flon, as part of a four-game point streak heading into Saturday.

Brandon Della Paolera is another name to note on the Wolves, as the team’s leading scorer has four points in his last four games, and a team-high 39 in 42 games this year.

Special teams

With another power play goal Friday, the Stars 24 percent effectiveness on the man-advantage is tops in the league this season, while La Ronge rank eighth at 18 percent.

The Battlefords also hold a slight edge on the penalty kill, though both teams have struggled at points this year, ranking ninth (Stars) and 11^th (Wolves) respectively on the kill at 79 and 75 percent.

Goaltending

Between the pipes, Stars goalie Austin Schwab will make his second start with the team since being acquired at the CJHL trade deadline last month. Schwab is 1-0, with a 3.71 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.

La Ronge is likely to turn to Xavier Cannon, as the 20-year-old is coming off a 41-save performance last Saturday. In 21 games this year, Cannon has posted a 13-6-0 record, with a 2.97 GAA and .913 save percentage.

Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast 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.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

J. Southgate, H. Doell, R. McNinch

E. Waldie, D. Esau, K. Klein

E. Wurst, D. Prymak, S. Kesslering

M. Henry, T. Bahm, Z. Florence

Defencemen:

W. Steele, R. Little

S. Witt, T. Gold

T. Ewart, J. Grill

Goaltenders:

A. Schwab

M. Harroch

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1