Stars - Bombers Preview (And then Some...)

Six games remain for the Battlefords North Stars in their regular season. Three games are on the road, and three are at home. Heading into this weekend's road swing up North, the Stars have a road record of 11-13-1-0.

So far this season, the Stars have a 2-2 record against Flin Flon. One win came at home, the other at the Whitney Forum back on January 6th.



Record: 34-15-1-3 (72 Points. First place in the Bauer Conference.)

Who's Up Front:

The Flin Flon Bombers are a highly offensive squad, and can beat you a number of different ways. Leading the way for Flin Flon is Mike Rey. Rey is second in league scoring with 69 points, and is always a threat to score. Combine Rey with the likes of Brody Haygarth (41 points), Deven Stillar (52 points) and Matt Lecours (4o points) and the Stars are going to be tested defensively against the Bomber forwards.

Who's On D:

The Bomber defense is anchored by Michael Young (89) and Taylor Thiessen (89). These two d-men have 78 points between them, and are always dangerous on the power-play. Discipline is going to be a HUGE factor for the Stars heading into this weekend. If they can minimize the Bomber power-plays, they'll be in good shape. Though don't kid yourself, Thiessen and Young are dangerous during ANY game situation.

Who's in Goal:

The Flin Flon Bombers have one of the most dependable goalies in the league in Matt Weninger. His save percentage is brilliant at .927 and a GAA of 2.30. The last time the Stars were up North in Flin Flon, they faced Klynt Spencer and scored four times. My intuition tells me that we're not going to be seeing much of Spencer this weekend unless some type of injury takes place.

X-Factor:

Bomber forward Alex Lamontagne has the ability to be a game-breaker for Mike Regan's Bombers. Last season, it seemed like he couldn't miss against the Stars. This year, his numbers are 'decent' but 33 points for a player of Alex's calibre seems a little low. A breakout weekend for 44 in maroon, and the Stars are going to have their hands full.



Record: 32-1-6-1-3 (Second place in the Bauer Conference. Four points behind Flin Flon for First Place with one game in hand.)

Who's Up Front:

Blake Peake had a strong game for the Stars on Wednesday night against Melfort. He led all forwards with a goal and two assists, and is now tied with Chad Filteau for the team lead in scoring with 59 points. The last time the Stars were in Flin Flon, Blake Peake put on a show, scoring twice and adding an assist in the 4-1 win. Another strong night from Peake, and the Stars will be just fine!

Who's On D:

Woody Klassen led all Star players Wednesday with a goal and four helpers against the Mustangs. Klassen now leads all Star's defenceman with 32 points, and will once again be one of the 'go-to' guys moving forward down the stretch. A big game from Klassen defensively and offensively tomorrow night should bode well for the team.

Who's in Goal:

If Ken Pearson sticks to his rotation, than we'll see Kyle tomorrow night.

X-Factor:

Mitch Wall is my x-factor and it's only fitting that heading into a road-trip of this importance that you look to your leaders to take charge. Wall's presence will need to be felt at both ends of the ice if the Stars want any hope of taking four points from the Flin Flon Bombers this weekend.


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Games at the Whitney Forum are always entertaining, but tomorrow night's game will be the most important statistical game for both teams so far this season. I'm sure the Stars would be satisfied with a split this weekend, but a Northern sweep over the Bombers would get this community buzzing.

What would be more impressive: Winning three in a row down south? Or winning two straight at the Whitney Forum. I vote for the Whitney, merely for the fact that Flin Flon and the Stars are division rivals. Are the Star's up to it? I guess time will tell.

Both Mike Regan and Ken Pearson are well aware of what's at stake, and in my opinion coaching will have a lot to do with the end result of this weekend series.

Whichever coach is able to keep their team focused and distraction-free for a longer period of time will find the most success?

In the end it's just another game, and the coaches are going to do their darndest to keep that mindset. But for fans in the Battlefords and in Flin Flon, this goes well beyond 'just another game' and here's hoping that these two teams give us a couple of classics this weekend.


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