Record: 20-17-3-2
Overview:
The Estevan Bruins are 4-5-1-0 in their last ten games. They are a team that have seen some peaks and valleys throughout the season, and lately have been searching for more consistency. The Bruins were billed as a championship contender at the start of the season, and similar to their opponents tonight have underachieved so far. Tonight the Bruins look to take the season series with the Stars with a victory on the road.
Who's Up Front:
North Star fans will certainly be familiar with Estevan forward Jonothan Ceci. Ceci was acquired by the Bruins on January 10th at the deadline and so far has fit in nicely. He leads Estevan in scoring with 49 points, and will see a lot of marquee minutes. Ceci has great vision, but can also score in bunches. He has 18 goals this season which pits him third on the Bruins behind only Dylan Smith and Ryan Andersen.
Who's on D:
The Estevan Bruins have a tough, rugged core of defencemen that can burn you in a number of different ways. Offensively guys like Joel Kott and Ty Arris will be counted upon to provide offense, while Tyler Spencer and Dominic Perrault can make you pay physically if you aren't aware. Statistically Ty Ariss leads the way with 28 points for the Bruins.
Who's in Goal:
Shea Cooper got the call in goal the last time these teams met, and did not win. Joel Danyluk faced the Stars in both prior meetings and beat them. Danyluk has a record of 14-13-1-0 while Cooper is 6-7-1.
X-Factor:
Dylan Smith has been a North Star sniper so far this season. Smith has recorded points in each meeting so far with the Stars this season, and provides Chad Leslie with dependable minutes up front. He's fast, he's smart and he knows how to bury the puck. Smith is particularly effective on the power-play. If the Stars given Smith open looks, it could be a long night for whichever goaltender Ken Pearson decides to go with.
Record: 20-23-1-1
Overview:
Ken Pearson's team is 6-4 in their last ten games, but similar to their counterparts, the North Stars have battled consistency issues all season. The Stars are feeling the heat beneath them in the standings. Flin Flon are currently two points back with three games in hand, and Nipawin are six points back with only a game in hand. The Stars can breathe a little easier with two points tonight.
Who's Up Front:
Earlier today Blake Tatchell was named the team's MVP nominee and for good reason. Tatchell has been Mr. Everything for the Stars this season, and it seems that when he's clicking, the rest of the team follows suit. Tatchell is tied for the team lead in scoring with 59 points, and scored the O.T. winner against Estevan the last time these teams met.
Who's on D:
Woody Klassen has had a terrific season as a 19-year-old in this league, and will once agian be looked upon to come up big tonight. Klassen leads the Stars in scoring from the back-end with 34 points and wa named the team's Top Defenceman nominee earlier today. Klassen is physical, smart, and has a great shot. The Bruins will need to be aware of Klassen's presence on the ice.
Who's in Goal:
If the rotation holds true, it should be Graham Hildebrand's turn.
X-Factor:
Rookie forward Kyle Hall has been one of the 'feel good stories' for the North Stars this season. The 18-year-old was named the team's Top Rookie nominee earlier today, and has earned that honor with 17 goals so far this season. Kyle Hall has shown tremendous two-way skill and is one of only two North Stars (the other being Woody Klassen) who have played in all 45 games this season. A big night from Hall would go along way for the Stars inching back towards that .500 mark, especially with a trip to Nipawin looming this weekend.
Tonight's game can be heard live on CJNB/CJNS starting at 7:15. Matt Ryan and I will have the call for you starting then. Tonight's game is also being shown live on Access 7 around the province so feel free to check that out too if you can't make it to the Battlefords for tonight's game.
As always your thoughts and predictions are welcome.
6 comments:
really lookin forward to this one..Was a crazy game last time these two teams played. Gonna be playoff like atmosphere tonight, lookin for all you guys to come out to the rink tonight
It is a cold night but there are only so many home games left so I'm gonna make the trek into town for this one. It's always good to see these two teams play because there are so many players who have played as Bruins and Stars over the past two seasons. Go Stars!
It is a cold night but there are only so many home games left so I'm gonna make the trek into town for this one. It's always good to see these two teams play because there are so many players who have played as Bruins and Stars over the past two seasons. Go Stars!
What has happened with Lance Tabin? Blair Atch made a comment on the radio about the Kindersley trade and it didn't sound good but the comment was very abbreviated. Does anyone know anything about his status? Is he ever going to make it into the lineup?
Who needs Lance Tabin, when we have Wakelin back there... This kid is truely amazing... A kid that has never played defence in his life to stepping into fill a void and looking like an SJHL "Allstar". I think we should keep wakelin back there and develop him. I really think he has lots of promise on the blue line. He skates so well, hits so hard and has a great shot. Tonight when he was brining the puck up the ice, I had to look at my program and see if Lebreton was for some reason in the lineup... Way to go "Wakes" and keep it up..
It may be a tad early to start making Lebreton comparisons, but mark me down as another full-fledged supporter of Boyd Wakelin on the blueline.
There is a reason why he was the runaway winner in the Unsung Hero poll in this blog. Any of his personal success is well desserved.
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