Thompson Sports News

Weekend Preview: Norman Northstars Vs Parkland Rangers

Northstars

The Norman Northstars return to action tonight after heading into the winter break with one win and two losses in their last three games. The team currently sits in the Manitoba Midget “AAA” basement with a record of 4-15-1, though they are just three points back of the Parkland Rangers and Interlake Lightning.

 

Despite being in the league’s basement, the Northstars already have as many points (9) through 30 games as they did in 48 games last season. This weekend is the first opportunity to surpass last year and climb out of the league’s basement with a pair of games against Parkland, with three games left on the schedule against Interlake.

 

Henry Muchikekwanape currently leads the team in goals (17) and points (33), and is tied with captain Hunter Rambow for the team league in assists (16). Third-year goaltender Braedin Melsted has split the net with Rylan Potkonjak, though Melsted has been in net for all four wins.

 

Rangers

The Parkland Rangers are looking to turn around their season coming off the the winter break. The team currently sits second last in the league, and have gone 0-14 since their last win on November 11th (5-1 vs Pembina Valley). In that 14 game stretch, the Rangers have been outscored 71-15. To put that in perspective, the Northstars have scored 71 goals so far this season in 30 games.

 

Jaeger Lapointe comes into the weekend leading the Rangers in points (26), and is tied with Garrett Hrenchka for the lead in goals (13). Warren Jubenvill and Colby Cherneski are currently tied at 14 assists for the team lead in that category.

 

Matchup This Season

The Northstars and Rangers have played each other twice this season, with the Rangers coming out on top both times.

 

The first game took place on September 30th, with two goals from Taylor-Luke powering the Parkland side to a 5-2 victory. Jamie Valentino stood out for the Nor-Man squad, potting a goal and an assist.

 

The second meeting of the season took place in Portage on October 21st, and it’s not one that the Northstars want to remember as they fell 8-2. Hunter Glover scored three for the Rangers and added an assist, while Jubenvill had two goals and two assists.

 

Players To Watch

Two players to watch for the Northstars this weekend are Muchikekwanape and Valentino.

 

In the past five games, Muchikekwanape has five goals and five assists for 10 points. In the two previous meetings with Parkland this season, he has a goal and an assist.

 

Valentino is on a hot streak of his own, with nine points (4g, 5a) in his last five games played. Those numbers have his stats up to 12 goals and 14 assists (26 points) on the season in 23 games played. Valentino also has a goal and a helper in the two games played against the Rangers.

 

There are three players to watch for the Parkland Rangers; Lapointe, Glover and Freddy Ledoux.

 

Lapointe not only leads the Rangers in points and goals, but has also been lethal against the Northstars. In the two games played this season, he has three goals and two assists.

 

Glover’s season totals aren’t going to blow anyone away at this point (11g, 7a for 18 points), but his numbers against the Nor-Man side will. He has four goals and two assists in the previous two games played, and if he’s in the lineup could be a difference maker to help his side snap their losing skid.

 

The third player to watch for the Parkland Rangers is probably the most interesting storyline of the matchup. Freddy Ledoux was a part of the Norman Northstars last year, where he had 4 points (2g, 2a) and 49 PIM in 36 games. He’s now with the Rangers, and has 9 assists in 19 games, including a helper against the Northstars. It’s rare to see a player with two different teams in their midget “AAA” career, and it’s always exciting to see them play their former teammates.

 

Games

The two teams will play tonight at 7:30pm and then again tomorrow afternoon starting at 1:30pm.

 

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on 102.9 CHTM.

 

 

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