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North Stars climb one spot in CJHL top-20

Dec 12, 2017 | 8:36 AM

After a slight drop in last week’s rankings, the Battlefords North Stars moved up from ninth to eighth in this week’s Canadian Junior Hockey League top-20 rankings thanks to three straight wins.

It’s the 11th straight week they’ve been a top-10 team in the country.

The North Stars began the week with a 3-2 overtime win over Humboldt at home, before beating La Ronge 5-2 and 6-0 on the weekend.

Battlefords is now just a single point back of first place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with a 22-5-1 record. They have an opportunity to steal first when they host the Nipawin Hawks on Tuesday, who took the top spot over the weekend with wins over Melville. The Hawks are currently 21-5-2-2, so the North Stars currently have two games in hand.

The Hawks are 13th this week in the national rankings, up from 16th last week. The Melfort Mustangs (20-5-4-1), fell from 15th to an honourable mention.

The Carleton Place Canadians (32-2-0-3) of the Central Canadian Hockey League hold the top spot for the fourth straight week.

The Thief River Falls Huskies (SIJHL) remain in second at 26-1-0, and Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ, 26-3-0) remain in third.

The North Stars host Nipawin on Tuesday and then are home for two games this weekend, first against Melfort Friday and then against Flin Flon on Saturday. These are their last games before the winter break. They return from the break on Dec. 29 and 30 with a home and home against Kindersley.

 

cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

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