Stars - Broncos Preview

Tonight the Battlefords North Stars battle the Humboldt Broncos for the fifth time this season. The Stars are 2-2 against Humboldt and are looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

HUMBOLDT BRONCOS

Record: 19-13-0-1 (Second in the Bauer Conference)


Overview:

The Broncos are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Even amidst their streaky play, the Broncos have maintained second place in the Bauer Conference. They have a ton of offense, and clutch goaltending. When they put it all together they are a very difficult team to beat.

Who's Up Front:

Justin Buzzeo and Jeremy Boyer can take games over when they are at their best. Buzzeo has great vision, and is a solid play-maker, and Boyer is a pure goal scorer. Both have over 20 goals this season. The last time these teams met, the Stars did a great job of shutting down Boyer and Buzzeo - They'll need a similar effort tonight to be successful.


Who's on D:

18-year-old Josh Roach has 27 points in 30 games, and is a solid offensive option for the Broncos on the back-end. There's nothing overly flashy about Roach, but in his case it's a good thing. He quietly goes about his business, protects his own end well, and has consistently provided offense for Dean Brockman's team. Roach is especially dangerous on the power-play.

Who's in Goal:

Andrew Bodnarchuk has played the Stars all four times this season. Does
Dean Brockman call on Matt Hrynkiw tonight? Time will tell I guess.

X-Factor:

Former North Star Ward Szucki is having a decent sophmore season in the SJHL. He was bounced around a little bit at the start of the year going From Estevan to Neepawa and then to Humboldt. But now that he's settled, he's starting to show a great skill-set. He's a big bodied forward with a great shot. He's got seven goals and 12 assists this year. The Stars will need to keep Szucki to the outside as much as possible and not allow him and his linemates easy access to the front of the their goal.

BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS

Record: 14-19-1-1 (Fifth in the Bauer Conference)

Overview:

Ken Pearson's team has lost two straight games. The recent loss came Friday night at home against Notre Dame. The Stars currently have a four point lead on Nipawin in the standings, but the Hawks have four games in hand. Two points tonight would be HUGE for the Stars if only to create some more separation and put more pressure on Nipawin.

Who's Up Front:

After a bit of a slow start, Tanner Schwab is starting to put it all together. Schwab scored Friday, and had a performance at the SJHL Showcase. The trio of Tanner Schwab, Tim Rollins and Kyle Hall will need to be effective tonight for the Stars to win. Rollins needs to use his speed to win battles. Hall needs to win face-offs and move the puck well, and Schwab needs to capitalize on his chances when he gets them. If they do, the Stars will have success.

Who's on D:

Cody Folstad, Woody Klassen and Travis Sparrow are three defenceman that need to bring their best efforts tonight. All three will need to set the physical tone, and make it tough on the likes of Buzzeo and Boyer to find time and space on the ice. If the Stars can win the physical battle tonight, they'll have a great shot at winning the game.

Who's in Goal:

No clarification yet, but given the fact that Kyle Birch lost Friday night to Notre Dame, I'd expect to see Graham Hildebrand get the call in goal for Ken Pearson's team tonight.

X-Factor:

Special teams are always key, but they are especially magnified when Humboldt is involved. If the Stars can keep the Humboldt power-play off the ice, they'll be fine. It's when Buzzeo, Boyer and Roach get extra room and time on the ice that they become especially difficult to contain. If the Stars can score once or twice on the power-play and limit Humboldt's chances, they have a great shot at winning tonight.

Game time: 6:00 on CJNB/CJNS.