A Make or Break Week.

Is it really Monday morning already?

This past weekend was productive, yet by no means was it relaxing.

I expect more of the same this week. So lets get started.

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It truly is a make-or-break week for the Battlefords North Stars. By this time next week, the Star's playoff fate could ultimately be sealed. Seven games remain on their schedule - Five of which are against divisional opponents.

This week the Stars face third-place Humboldt on Wednesday, and are then in Flin Flon for a Friday, Saturday weekend series.

The Humboldt Broncos are in town Wednesday, and by default this one becomes the most important game yet for the Stars.

The Broncos have won four games in a row, and are now six points ahead of the Stars for third place in the Bauer Conference. If the Stars want to finish third and avoid the Survivor Series, a victory against Humboldt on Wednesday is a must. They would then need a ton of help from some southern teams, plus they'd need to help themselves.

Following that, the Stars have the Flin Flon Bombers in their rear-view mirror. The Bombers no longer hold any games in hand on the Stars, and trail them by three points heading into this week. The Bombers are in Nipawin tomorrow night, and will face La Ronge on Wednesday when the Stars host Humboldt.

All three Star's games this week can be heard live on CJNB/CJNS.

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Humboldt, Flin Flon and the Battlefords each have seven games remaining on their schedule. Below I have posted the opponents (in order) for all three teams down the stretch:

Humboldt: KIN - BAT - NIP - YOR - MVL - ND - LAR

Flin Flon - NIP - LAR - BAT - BAT -NIP - BAT - NIP

Battlefords - HUM - FF - FF - FF - NIP - KIN - KIN

Statistically speaking, the Stars and Broncos have the toughest stretch of seven games. Three of their opponents have plus .500 records while Flin Flon faces only one. Humboldt also gets the advantage of facing five Sherwood Conference teams. Even if they lose some games, it won't be at the expense of surrendering points to divisional foes.

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Considering the above information, I am really looking forward to tonight's edition of the CO-OP Leisure Time Sports Fix where I'll be speaking with Flin Flon Bomber's Coach and GM Mike Reagan.

EDIT: CFAR 590's Rob Hart will join me instead of Reagan.

My other confirmed guest for the program is North Battleford Comp Viking's Sr. Boys basketball coach Jamey Sommerfeld.

I have a call out to another SJHL Coach. Hopefully it works out, if not I assure you that the show will be packed anyway.

The CO-OP Leisure Time Sports Fix runs tonight at 8:00 on CJNB/CJNS.

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Did you catch the Superbowl?

All-in-all I enjoyed the game. I don't cheer for either team regularly, so the result didn't mean very much to me. In the end I'm happy for Green Bay and more specifically for Aaron Rodgers who played a great game.

I don't think the half-time show was as bad as a majority of fans thought, The National Anthem on the other hand? Christina Aguilera was brutal. I personally hate when the musicians try to turn a country's anthem into a major ordeal. I think it sounds way better when it's sung properly and quickly.

Oh, and remembering the lyrics also helps.

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Hats off to the Battlefords a great job at hosting the 2011 Sasktel Provincial Men's Curling Championship. The Civic Center was hopping this week, and the curlers did not disappoint. If you missed it, Pat Simmons defeated Carl deConinck Smiith 8-6. It is the fifth provincial title for Simmons, and now his rink will head to London, ONT for the Tim Horton's Brier on March 6th.

Having grown up in B.C. and never really experiencing the sport until I moved here - I admit that my overall knowledge of curling still leaves much to be desired. But I have a strong appreciation for the athleticism and skill involved in the sport, and I'm starting to understand it better.

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As always your comments and feedback are welcome. I would love to hear your thoughts about the upcoming stretch of games.

Have a great week,

DO