Mid-Week Takes.

The North  Battleford Civic Center was a quiet place last night. After so much excitement and optimism early, it's understandable why things would be so quiet. For what it's worth to the fans - The Star's locker-room was eerily quiet afterward as well. These players know what went wrong, and I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock into these 7-6 type of scores. If a team is going to blow some big leads and lose a 7-6 game, I'd way rather see it at the start of the year and not when it really counts.

It truely was a tail of Jeckyl and Hyde for the Stars. For the first 20-30 minutes, they were awesome. They did everything that a coach and fan would expect: They finished checks, they crashed the net, and they were the hungrier team. When they got away from those things, Humboldt took advantage.

Special-teams cost the Star's big-time. Had the Stars capitalized on even one of their 10 power-plays, they win last night.

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A loss like this can do one of two things to a team.

It can demoralize a team early, and linger. Or a result like this can help unite a team together. After the game, coach Pearson said that his veterans need to be better, and they need to lead by example. No doubt the Stars are in for a tough practice today, but if the veterans show up, grit their teeth and embrace it - The youth of the team will follow.

The Stars are a still a team without a captain. Maybe now is the time where one of the vets takes the team on his back and shows that they're worthy of the 'C.'

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Hats off to the Humboldt Broncos. It takes a real gutsy effort to pull off what they did last night. Sure they're hosting the R.B.C. in 2012, but the more I watch Humboldt this year, the more I get a sense that they're going to be 'right there' this year as well.

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Up next for the Stars: A home-and-home with the Melfort Mustangs. The 'Stangs are another team that is still seeking their first victory. Melfort hosts Yorkton tonight before hosting the Stars on Friday. The game will be on the radio, and you will have the opportunity to follow along that night.

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Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), announced on Tuesday the 41 players that will attend the Canada West evaluation camp in preparation for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. Of the 41 players, eight are from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. They are:
           
Clarke Breitkreuz (F) Yorkton Terriers –Springside
     
Trevor Cameron (F) Notre Dame Hounds-Mission, BC
     
Lee Christensen (D) Melfort Mustangs- Winnipeg,MB
      
Sean Flanagan (D) Kindersley Klippers-Kindersley, SK
 
Drew George (F) Weyburn Red Wings-Regina, SK
      
Jesse Mychan (F) Flin Flon Bombers-Saskatoon, SK
     
Jordan Paddock (D) Melville Millionaires –Regina, SK
 
Dylan Smith (F) Estevan Bruins –Big River, SK

Congratulations to all eight of these athletes, and here's hoping we have an SJ-heavy team representing Canada West in Penticton.

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If you haven't already, check out the new edition of the SJHL This Week Radio Show on the SJHL website. Martin Smith and I are filming part of the SJ This Week later today. Thursday's edition of the program is going to be hosted in part by Martin Smith and I, followed by Mike Stackhouse and his broadcast team.

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That's about it from me this morning. I've really enjoyed the increase in comments and reader participation, so keep it coming!