Record: 27-15-2-4
Overview:
The Terriers are 3-5-1-1 in their last 10 games, and are coming off a 9-6 loss to the Kindersley Klippers. The Terriers were down 6-0 before making a game of it. The last time the Terrier's faced the North Stars, they beat them 7-4 in Yorkton back in late November.
Who's Up Front:
This will be the first time that the Battlefords North Stars have faced the Killer B's of Yorkton. Justin Buzzeo (73 points), Jeremy Boyer (72 points) and Clark Breitkreuz (52 points) are three of the most dynamic forwards in the entire league. Buzzeo can beat you with vision and speed, Boyer with his skill and finish, and Breitkreuz with the combined package of size, speed and finish. If these three are given time and space they will make life miserable for the Stars in their own-zone. Stopping those three will be of the utmost importance for Ken Pearson's team.
Who's on D:
Defensively the Terriers are led both on and off the ice by 20-year-old Blaine Tendler. The Terrier's captain has 11-goals and 27 points, leading the team in scoring from the back-end. Tendler can certainly hold his own defensively as well. He provides coach Trent Cassan with dependable minutes, and can mix it up physically when needed.
Who's in Goal:
Devin Peters did not finish last night's game in Kindersley, and was pulled in favor of Warren Shymko. Shymko is the 18-year-old backup that has proven to be extremely dependable for the Terriers. Heading into tonight he boasts a record of 7-7-2 with a great save percentage of .918 and a goals against average under three. The 20-year-old Peters is 20-10-2 with a percentage of .903 and a goals against average of 3.08. Which one gets the start? Time will tell.
X-Factor:
19-year-old Robbie Ciolfi may not receive the same type of league-wide attention that Breitkreuz, Boyer and Buzzeo do, but Ciolfi is certainly worthy of similar praise. Ciolfi has 20 goals, 25 assists and really stood out when these teams last met in November in Yorkton. Ciolfi is one of the many great examples of strong depth up front for Yorkton. Trent Cassan must love the fact that if his top three are kept in check, his depth up front is strong enough to counter most defensive units.
Record: 22-23-1-1
Overview:
The Battlefords North Stars have won two straight games and are staring a .500 record in the eye tonight. The Stars are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and are starting to establish themselves as a 'dark-horse' in the Bauer Conference. A win tonight against Yorkton would go a long way to help the team's confidence moving forward.
Who's Up Front:
Star's forward Cole Gibson has scored in his each of his past three games, and is starting to develop some chemistry with Blake Tatchell and Braedon Johnson. Gibson was acquired on January 10th in exchange for prospect Dayton Picard. So far this season Gibson has recorded 32 points in 38 games.
Who's on D:
Brody Luhning returned to the Star's lineup on Saturday and chipped in with two goals, including the game winner. Luhning has 28 points on the year and leads all Star's d-men with 10 goals. Luhning has shown this season that he scores in bunches, and the Stars are obviously hoping that he can continue to supply offense tonight.
Who's in Goal:
Barring injury, Graham Hildebrand will get his third consecutive start for the Stars. "If you win, you stay in," has been the MO of Ken Pearson throughout his tenure in the Battlefords, and he drilled that point home again on the pre-game show Saturday. Hildebrand is 8-11 on the season and has improved his save percentage to .885 and holds a goals-against average of 4.26.
X-Factor:
The North Star's 'big-three' need to rise up and out-duel the big three of Yorkton. Though they dont' play together, Colin Phaneuf, Blake Tatchell and Keith Grondin need to establish a presence tonight at home. Grondin needs to shoot the puck, Tatchell needs to create plays, and Phaneuf needs to pester the opposition, and convert on his opportunities. If these three can outwork the opposition, they could be in store for a successful night.
Tonight's game goes at 7:30 from the Civic Center. Don't miss the broadcast tonight which starts at 7:15 on CJNB/CJNS.
3 comments:
Got an instinct this is gonna be a heck of a hockey game...
Hildy played so well. I wish we could have won this one for him.
It was a good game... Yorkton really didnt look that much better than us.. After the first 20 we skated with them all night. 2 unfortunate lapses in the first...
Post a Comment