Stars - Mustang's Preview.

Blogger Note:

I had completed my entire preview for the game, only to have it erase itself due to some mish-mash of buttons. Here is TAKE TWO of tonight's preview between the Battlefords North Stars and Melfort Mustangs.

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If at first you don't succeed - Dust yourself off and try again. Tonight in Melfort, the Battlefords North Stars once again try 29=to become a third place hockey team. They can do so with two points against Darrell Mann's club tonight.

The Stars haven't faced Melfort since the 17th of November, and both tames have undergone much change since that time.

MELFORT MUSTANGS:

Record: 29-11-3-4

Overview:

No team is hotter than the Melfort Mustangs. Darrell Mann's team is 8-1-0-1 in their past 10 games, and are now just three points back of La Ronge for first in the Bauer Conference.

Who's Up Front:

The Melfort Mustangs went 'all-in' at the January 10th trading deadline when they added both Cody Hanson and Braydon Metz to their lineup. Metz comes into tonight leading the Mustangs with 65 points on the season. Metz has 15 points in 11 games since joining the Mustangs. Keeping Metz off the score-sheet will be key for the Stars tonight.

Who's on D:

Darrell Mann said Monday on the Co-Op Leisure Time Sports Fix that he doesn't have a quote, "number one defenceman." Instead he has a consistent group of blueliners that can all contribute at both ends. The top point-producer is 19-year-old Lee Christensen who has really blossomed this season into one of the top defencemen in the league. Add the likes of Brenden Wall, Mitch Berg, Carter Berg and Scott Brkich and Darrell Mann has no shortage of weapons on his blueline.

Who's in Goal:

The Melfort Mustangs also boast the top goaltender in the SJHL in Charles Corsi. Corsi has a save percentage of .922 and a goals against of 2.53. His record? A modest 23-8-3.

X-Factor:

Statistically speaking, Brody Haygarth is on fire. After a three-goal outing against Weyburn last week, Haygarth followed that up with another hat-trick earlier this week. His 39 points in 36 games may seem lower than expected, but when you consider the injuries and you consider how Haygarth has been used in a lot of different scenarios this season, he'll take it, and so will the Mustangs. Keeping Haygarth quiet will be a difficult task for the Stars.

BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS

Record: 22-24-1-1

Overview:

The Battlefords North Stars are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Yorkton Terriers. Be that as it may, the Stars are 6-4 in their last 10 games, and are starting to perform a little more consistently. A win tonight would put the Stars into third place in the Bauer Conference.

Who's Up Front:

Former Melfort Mustang's forward Cole Gibson gets a crack at his former team tonight. For the Melfort Mustangs it could mean bad news. Gibson has goals in four straight games, and has proven to be a solid addition to the Star's lineup. If Gibson can have a big night against his former team, it could go a long way to help the Stars to third.

Who's on D:

Star's captain Cris Neurauter is quietly playing some of his best hockey as of late. Neurauter is second only to Woody Klassen for the team's scoring lead for defenceman. Neurauter has 32 points and will likely see some key minutes tonight against some of the top guns of the Melfort Mustangs.

Who's in Goal:

Given that Graham Hildebrand was the hard-luck loser Wednesday night, the Battlefords North Stars will likely have Kyle Birch getting the start tonight. Birch is 12-11 on the year, and has a save percentage of .884. His goals against of 4.11 is high, and I think it's safe to say that Birch will have to keep Melfort's total below that to ensure success. It could be a great goaltending battle tonight between 20-year-olds Kyle Birch and Charles Corsi.

X-Factor:

Blake Tatchell has had a quiet two weeks by his standards, and is due to breakout in a big way. Tatchell has been so consistent and dependable for the Star's this season, and tonight he'll have a great opportunity to shine in Melfort. Tatchell always seems to play well in Melfort, and tonight he'll need to be one of the best if the Stars want to beat Melfort for a third straight time.

Tonight's game goes at 7:30 and you can hear it live on CJNB/CJNS.