Record: 11-9-1-1 (Third place in the Bauer Conference)
Who's Hot for La Ronge:
Ben Findlay (30 points) and Doug Lindensmith (27 points) are on fire for the Wolves! These two players have been a nightmare for opposing teams all season. Both are shifty, quick and extremely difficult to play against. Doug Lindensmith in particular has given the North Star's a really tough time over the past year or so. It seems like everytime he gets a chance, he buries against the Stars. Stopping him has to be the number one priority tonight.
Who's on D:
Dustin Stevenson (21 points) and Mike Alexander (24 points)are easily the best 1-2 defensive tandem in the SJHL. There's no other worthy comparison. The minutes that these two log are astounding. Offensively they're both having great years, but defensively they are equally effective. It will be important for the North Stars to be physical in the offensive zone, especially when these two are on the ice.
Who's in Goal:
The last time La Ronge was here at the Civic Center, coach Bob Beatty started Chris Jackson instead of North Battleford's Adam Bartko. Jackson was pulled after surrendering five early goals, and Bartko came in and played well in a 5-3 loss. I'd expect to see Adam Bartko getting the start tonight in his hometown.
X-Factor:
Findlay, Lindensmith, Stevenson and Alexander get a ton of attention, and rightfully so. Yet there are several other Ice Wolves that are contributing to the team's success. My x-factor tonight is forward Dan Conoacher. He was the team's offensive catylyst last year, and admittedly hasn't put up the numbers that he is capable of. Dan Conacher could be the ultimate difference-maker in tonight's game if La Ronge is to be successful.
Record: 12-9-1-0 (Second place in the Bauer Conference.)
Who's Hot for the Stars:
Dane Muench has put up three points in only two games played this season for the Stars. Muench has managed to find some early success even though he isn't fully healed from an injury that he suffered in the Western Hockey League. Tonight Muench will be skating on a line with Mitch Wall and Blake Peake. If that isn't a recipe for success, than I don't know what is.
Who's on D:
Hopefully six angry players. The North Star's defence (and forwards too) need to play with more of an edge. The North Stars as a team were embarassed by the Nipawin Hawks, and will no-doubt be looking to be the 'intimidator' tonight.
Who's in Goal:
Kyle Birch did not have a good game in Nipawin, thus Ken Pearson has a tough decision to make. Does he give Coleman Young a chance? Or does he go back to Kyle and allow him to redeem himself. We all know what Kyle Birch is capable of, and if I were to play a hunch, I'd expect that in a game of this importance, with only one point separating the two teams - You'll see Kyle in net tonight.
X-Factor:
Tony Oak is the x-factor for tonight's game. He needs to be mean. Tony Oak needs to send a message to the La Ronge Ice Wolves tonight. After a couple of dissapointing efforts, the North Stars need their veteran tough-guy to play physical and play with an edge. If Oak can draw some penalties, throw his weight around and chip in offensively, I can almost guarantee a successful night for the North Stars.
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Tonight's going to be a rowdy one at the Civic Center. Nachtegaele Agri-Services is holding their Annual 10,000$ Shootout during the first intermission of tonight's game, and three different growers in our area have a chance to enter a draw for 10,000$ worth of Canola Seed through Nachtegaele Agri-Services.
Each contestant will get 20 seconds to shoot 20 pucks at an empty-net from center. If 15 pucks go in, then the shooter is entered into the draw.
Add on the fact that it's a Friday night, with some nice weather, and there is no reason why we can pack 1200 fans into the Civic Center tonight.
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The SJHL Showcase is just under two weeks away. Do you have your tickets yet? It's important to note that season ticket holders MUST call and book their tickets in advance, or they'll be out of luck for the Showcase when it comes to redeeming their usual seats.
Anybody wanting to buy tickets to the Showcase, can do so by calling Kara Rosen at: 306-445-6640 (Work) or 306-445-4910 (Home). I don't think enough people realize how big a deal this Showcase Weekend is going to be.
A reminder that the SJHL Showcase is presented in part, by Strike Energy.
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Have you bought your tickets yet for Puck N Funny? This is another outstanding way to help the Battlefords North Stars with their fundraising, and as well it's a great holiday gift idea.
When: JANUARY 29 - 2010
Doors @ 6:00, Meal @ 7:00, Show @ 8:00.
Where: Alex Dillibough Center (Battleford)
Cost:
Single Ticket - $30
At the Door - $35
Table of 8 - $240
Only 450 total tickets are available. Tickets are on sale now!!!!! Get them at the North Star's souvenir booth or through the office at 306-445-7827.
For more information click here.
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I won't be at tonight's North Star's game because I will be doing play-by-play for the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League. Each season, CJNB/CJNS does 10 regular season games, and recently we started calling the league final.
Tonight I'm in Maidstone watching the Edam 3 Stars and Maidstone Jets launch their season. I did my very best to schedule my Senior League broadcasts around the North Stars, but in some cases (like tonight) the conflict was unavoidable.
It's always tough missing North Star games, but I'll be getting text updates from Julie who will be on hand taking her photos as usual!
Also, major cudos to Tyler Loewen for filling in for me during tonight's "Hot-Stove Feature" after the game. If you've never seen a Hot-Stove Feature, let me enlighten you:
After every weekend home-game, we meet upstairs in the lounge afterwards for a Hot-Stove interview with the coaching staff and a player. Ken, Blair and I will sit at a table in the center of the hall, and I'll ask them each a few questions about the previous game. It's a neat feature, and I urge you to check it out tonight as Tyler leads the charge.
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Monday's edition of the CO-OP Leisure Time Sports Fix is going to be great. I'll be speaking with Jim Kozak, who is the Senior Manager for Kraft Canada Consumer Promotions. Essentially, Jim is one of the faces behind "KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE."
The interview will center around Hockeyville, and in particular, what a community needs to do in order to become Canada's hockeyville for a given year.
I'll be honest - The interview inspired me. I would love to be a part of a committee that allows North Battleford to run for Hockeyville 2010. I don't have the time to spear-head the endeavor, but I'd love to help.
In your honest opinion, do you think North Battleford could successfully market itself as Hockeyville in Canada? To me, it's a easy YES, but I'm not sure if others share the same kind of optimism that I do.
The deadline for entry is January 18th, and I hope that somebody from North Battleford enters the Civic Center and the community into the competition. I know that four other Saskatchewan cities/towns have already done so: Waldeim, Yorkton, Unity and one other that I can't place right now.
Are we passionate enough about hockey that we could win Hockeyville? I'm really curious to know your thoughts.
I'll leave you with that for now. I'll recap tonight's game on the blog either later tonight, or early tomorrow morning. A reminder that we're live from Melfort tomorrow night.
Be loud and be loyal tonight North Star Nation. I'll be thinking of you from Maidstone.
Cheers,
DANO
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