The Battlefords North Stars return to the road Friday for their lone game of the weekend in Wilcox.
Playing the divisional foe, Notre Dame Hounds for the second time in their last three games, the North Stars (39-3-2-1) enter play in top spot of the league standings, and first overall in Canada, on a five-game winning streak.
The Hounds (16-20-3-2), sit ninth overall in the league standings, and six points back of Weyburn for the eighth and final playoff spot while holding two games in hand. Having won two straight and three of their last four, Notre Dame will look to avenge their 5-2 loss to the Stars last Thursday, in their bid to keep pace in the playoff race.
Taking centre stage for the North Stars Friday will be a trio of players either celebrating milestones or on the verge of accomplishing something special down the stretch.
Steven Kesslering will play his 150th career SJHL game, making him just the second North Stars player in the last two seasons to hit the milestone. Kesslering enters game number 150 on a tear, with three goals and five points over his current three-game point streak, 25 goals (fourth in SJHL), and 45 points (10th overall) on the year.
Kian Bell is on a five-game goal and point streak, with nine goals and 11 points over the span, to bring his total to 42 goals and 74 points in 40 games. The 19-year-old now sits just eight goals away from becoming the first North Star in over three decades to hit the 50-goal plateau.
Lastly, Holden Doell, who leads all SJHL players with 76 points in just 38 games, is also on the verge of potentially making history.
Should Doell manage to keep up his 2.0 points-per-game average for the final 11 games of the year and win the scoring title, he would become just the second player in over 20 years to lead the SJHL in points while averaging two or more per game. Only Yorkton’s Chantz Petruic accomplished that feat in the last two decades after scoring 109 points in 52 games, for 2.10 points per game back in ’19-20).
At the other end, Notre Dame is led by their own offensive trio, of Will Dawson, Carson Baylis, and Dane Probe.
Dawson paces the team with 36 points in 40 games, while Baylis and Probe each enter play hot on a four-game point streak. Baylis has four goals and six points in his last four, while Probe has a goal and five points on his streak.
On the blue line, Hounds captain Jaryd Sych will also enjoy a special milestone night, playing game number 100 of his SJHL career on the night of his 20th birthday.
In goal, Justen Maric will get the start for the Stars. In 13 games this season, Maric is 12-1-0-0, with a 2.60 goals against average and .930 save percentage.
The Hounds are likely to give the nod to Tucker Inabinet, who has started each of his team’s last two games, allowing just a single goal against both Nipawin and La Ronge. Inabinet is coming off a 38-save performance on Thursday. He sports a 10-10-1-2 record, along with 3.06 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.
Friday’s game will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast.
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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1
