I didn't fish but I did manage to snap some great photos. The photos will be posted ot the blog and website no later than tomorrow.
The North Star players did a great job, and represented the team with dignity and class. The 50/50 jackpot was $7300 and that is due to the hard-work of the players who sold every last ticket available.
Great job fellas.
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We have now officially learned that the Battlefords North Stars and Melfort Mustangs will square off in the Division Semi-Final starting either March 5th or 6th. The Mustangs clinched third place with a victory over Nipawin last night.
The North playoff picture looks like this:
Bauer Survivor Series (Best-Of-Five):
Humboldt Broncos (5th) vs. La Ronge Ice Wolves (4th)
- The winner of the Survivor Series will face Flin Flon in a best-of-seven series.
Down South, we know that Yorkton will be facing Melville in the Survivor Series, and Kindersley will face Notre Dame in one of the division semi-finals.
Weyburn awaits the winner of the Yorkton - Melville series.
All-in-all some pretty intriguing matchups. I hope to make it to Humboldt for one of the Wolves - Broncos games. Bob Beatty coaching against his former team, lots of ex-Broncos now play for La Ronge, it has the makings of a brilliant series in my opinion.
As for the Stars and Mustangs - I have no doubt that we're in for some exciting hockey in early March. The Stars regular season record against Melfort this season was 2-2-1-1.
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With Canada facing the USA in Olympic Round-Robin hockey tonight, the attendance at the Civic Center tonight 'could' see somewhat of a dip. I truely hope this isn't the case.
Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to watch Canada face the USA. But I know for a fact that the game is being replayed later on in the evening, and will likely be on again tomorrow in the afternoon.
What I'm trying to say is: Come watch the North Stars, and catch the Canada/USA game later. It's not like it's for the Gold Medal or anything. Yet.
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All of that being said, lets get to the preview of tonight's game.
Record: 31-20-3-3 (Third place in the Sherwood Conference.)
Who's Up Front:
Kindersley's depth may have won them the game on Friday in Eston. They got goals from three different lines, and played a gritty, solid game. Andrew Dommett once again remains the biggest threat. He leads the Klippers with 36 goals, and always seems to 'bring it' when he plays in North Battleford. The last time he was here (November 28th) he scored four goals in a 7-6 OT loss.
Who's On D:
Jordan Braid, that's who! With Tabin, Ahl and Leedahl sidelined with injuries on Friday, Jordan Braid was thrust into duty on the blueline and was outstanding. Matt Ryan pointed out during the broadcast that Braid ls ALWAYS an offensive threat, it doesn't matter if he plays forward or defence. In my three years of covering this league, Jordan Braid sticks out as one of the 'best' that I've seen.
Who's in Goal:
Josh Thorimbert was fantastic for Kindersley on Friday against the Stars. His angles were solid, and he made point-blank saves on Daley, Filteau, Wall and Neufeld in a 10 minute section of play in the second period. He was the first star in my mind Friday. Will he be able to bring that same swagger to the Civic Center tonight? I guess time will tell.
EDIT: Scott Hellyer is apparently getting the start for the 'Klips tonight.
X-Factor:
Andrew Dommett gets a lot of attention and a lot of recognition for the type of season he's having and rightfully so. But his two linemates John Calkins and Braedon Adamyk have been just as good. Calkins has 50 points and Adamyk has 47. If the Stars want to win tonight's game, it is imperative that they do their best to neturalize Adamyk, Calkins and Dommett.
Record: 33-19-1-3
Who's Up Front:
Ken Pearson made a change to his lines on Friday night when he flipped Blake Peake and Mitch Wall. Peake ended up playing with Chad Filteau and Brett Miller while Wall skated with Josh Daley and Shay Neufeld. Both combinations seemed to work well, and Ken Pearson hinted that maybe he tries that combination again tonight. Filteau and Peake seemed to compliment each other really well, and both are gunning for the team lead in scoring. With two games remaining, they are tied with 62 points each.
Who's on D:
Defensively the Stars are healthy and raring to go. Jesse Lebreton and Woody Klassen have a bit of a 'point-battle' going on. Lebreton has registered 34 points this year while Klassen has 33. Perhaps these next two games will help dictate who will win 'Defenceman of the Year' for the North Stars.
Who's in Goal:
If Ken sticks with his rotation than it's Graham Hildebrand's turn. With each passing game it seems like Graham Hildebrand is gaining more of a following in North Star Nation. That being said, it's never a 'gimme' when it comes to guessing goaltenders.
EDIT: It's Hildy.
X-Factor:
The crowd. If this team gets some good attendance tonight, and fans can momentarily by-pass a round-robin Olympic hockey game, I'm sure the team would be grateful and it would help get them 'fired up' for a batttle with the Klippers.
Tonight we're on the radio and on TV. I'll be calling the SJHL's Game of the Week with Cody Nickolet tonight and I'm really excited to do it. Enjoy the game tonight.
DO
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