Some roster moves still remain to be made for the Battlefords Midget Stars, but after their first two games of the pre-season there appears to be some new optimism for the hockey team.
The Stars were in Saskatoon Thursday to play the Blazers. It was the first game of the season for many players and a bit of a learning curve, especially in regards to the checking to the head rule. The two teams combined for 14 checking to the head penalties and had a lot of power play time. The Stars were 1/11 with the man advantage and killed off all 12 shorthanded situations.
The Stars won 3-2, as Carter Danczak was named the team's player of the game after recording a shorthanded goal, a shorthanded assist and an assist on the power play.
Veterans Garrett Zelinski and Zach Klebaum scored the other goals for the Stars.
Blair Mahon earned the win while stopping 15 of 16 shots. Nigel Rempel faced 14 shots while allowing one goal.
Sunday, the Stars and Blazers renewed their rivalry with an exhibition game at the Civic Centre.
This time it was the Blazers winning by a goal, as they pulled out the 5-4 win with a late power play goal.
Again there were plenty of power play chances with the Blazers going 2/7 and the Stars scoring on two of their nine opportunities with the man advantage.
Klhisis Derocher was the Stars' player of the game, as he scored twice. Danczak also scored twice while adding an assist and Brody Tatchell also had a multi-point night with two assists.
Again, Mahon and Rempel split time in the Stars' net with Rempel stopping 20 of 23 shots and Mahon stopping 15 of the 17 he faced.
The Stars played with three of their top forwards not in the lineup, as Klebaum, Blake Young and Regan Yew are all either injured or sick.
Now that the junior leagues are making their final roster decisions, it is likely by this weekend, when the pre-season ends for the Stars, their roster will be in place and set to begin the season.
The Stars have dressed just 22 players in the first two exhibition games.
The Stars were scheduled to host Beardy's Tuesday and will wrap up the regular season with a home-and-home with the Saskatoon Contacts Thursday and Saturday. The Stars host the Contacts Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
