Stars - Bombers Preview.

The Battlefords North Stars and Flin Flon Bombers are hours away from kicking-starting what should be a very telling and entertaining weekend of hockey. One point separates the two teams in the standings, and barring any significant changes in the standings - It will be the North Stars and Bombers facing off in the Bauer Conference Survivor Series. You know darn-well that both teams want to finish in the four-spot, and the intensity of this weekend should be second to none.

FLIN FLON BOMBERS:

Record: 23-28-2-0

Overview:

Mike Reagan's Flin Flon Bombers are coming off an 8-1 loss to the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Wednesday. Overall the Bombers are 3-7 in their last ten games. Heading into tonight the Bombers have played one more game than the Stars have, and trail them by a single point in the Bauer Conference.

Who's Up Front:

The Flin Flon Bombers are led by 20-year-old Creighton product Ryan Fox. Fox has 60 points in 46 games, and is highly regarded as a great leader and a big part of Flin Flon's team. Fox has a lot of great help with the likes of Devin Stillar and Andrew Johnston, all of whom have tallied over 50 points this season.

Who's on D:

Tanner Korchinski has really picked up his game as of late. The 20-year-old defenceman has 31 points and leads the taem in scoring from the back-end. He is a smooth-skating defenceman that makes a great first-pass, and moves the puck really well on the powerplay.

Who's in Goal:

The Flin Flon Bomber's MVP nominee this season is 20-year-old netminder P.J. Musico. Musico is 21-22 on the year and comes into tonight with a great save percentage of .914. Musico is one of those goaltenders that has been known to steal games for his team, and he'll certainly have that chance this weekend should he get the call.

X-Factor:

The crowd. Like it or not, the fans in Flin Flon have made their presence felt in a big way over the last three meetings between these teams at the Whitney Forum. For my money it's the most hostile environment in the SJHL and I'd expect nothing less tonight.


BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS:

Record: 23-26-2-1

Overview:

Ken Pearson's Battlefords North Stars have dropped three in a row, and are looking for their first victory at the Whitney Forum in over a year. The Stars will be without Luke Hannas, Samuel Fortier and Zach MacLellan this weekend who are all back in the Battlefords nursing injuries.

Who's Up Front:

In this type of playoff environment, it's up to the Battlefords North Star's top players to be at their best. Colin Phaneuf, Blake Tatchell and Keith Grondin need to out-work the top three forwards of Flin Flon. If so, they should find success.

Who's on D:

This is the type of environment that players like Travis Sparrow and Cody Folstad should thrive in. Both play a physical style of game, and they'll need to make sure that they protect the front of the net, and make a physical statement early against the Bombers.

Who's in Goal:

Graham Hildebrand gets the tonight based on the rotation. Hildebrand is 8-13 and brings a goals-against average of 4.29 into tonight's game. Hildebrand will need to be in top form. Given the ability of both Hildebrand and Musico, it's possible that we could be in for a low-scoring game tonight.

X-Factor:

Collective discipline will be essential for the Star's success tonight. All the Stars need to concern themselves with is the play between the glass. The second that they get distracted by other factors, is when they flirt with trouble. If the Stars can stay mentally sharp tonight, they'll have a great shot at taking game one of this two-game weekend series.

Tonight's game is at 7:30, and can be heard live on CJNB/CJNS starting at 7:15. I'll talk to you later tonight, it should be a gooder.