PB Stars and Nordiques Set for Championship Showdown

After a season that saw the balance of power swing back and forth, the PB Stars and Nordiques will settle it one final time with the championship on the line.

If the regular-season series is any indication, this is about as even a championship matchup as you could ask for.

The teams met three times this season, with the PB Stars holding a 2–1 edge. On June 27, the Stars took a 4–2 victory. The Nordiques answered on July 25 with a 6–4 win, before the Stars captured the most recent meeting, 5–2, on August 15.

Combined across those three games? PB Stars 13, Nordiques 10.

Now none of those scores matter. One game decides the championship.

Nordiques Bring Firepower

The Nordiques enter the championship with some dangerous offensive weapons.

Jared Ambrose has been the standout, producing 9 goals and 3 assists for 12 points in seven games, a 1.7-points-per-game pace. He has been the most productive player shown in the Nordiques statistics and gives the Stars a clear matchup problem.

Behind him, the Nordiques have gotten balanced production. Keith Asplundh has six points in five games, while Parker Grahe has six points in seven. That depth matters in a championship game where one line can’t be expected to carry the entire offense.

In net, Brad Parker gets the championship assignment. His numbers—an 0–2 record and 5.50 GAA in two appearances—don’t jump off the page, but championship games have a way of making regular-season numbers irrelevant. Parker gets an opportunity to erase all of that with one big performance.

PB Stars Have Answers of Their Own

The Stars counter with a roster that has produced throughout the lineup.

Matt Jacobs leads the players shown with five goals and seven points in six games. Dwight Tracey has six points in six games, while Kevin Mora has contributed three goals and four points in seven appearances.

And keep an eye on Ryan Ortly. Although he’s listed as a sub for the championship, he has produced four points in only three games, giving PB another offensive option if called upon.

The Stars also have Joey Melillo in goal. Melillo has handled the bulk of the work, appearing in six games and posting a 3–2–0 record with one overtime loss and a 3.65 GAA.

That experience could become particularly important if this turns into the tight game the season series suggests it should be.

Three Games Set the Stage. The Fourth Decides Everything.

There isn’t much mystery between these teams anymore. They’ve seen each other three times. They’ve both beaten each other. They’ve combined for 23 goals. And their previous meetings have featured both close games and offensive bursts.

The Stars can point to winning two of three.

The Nordiques can point to hanging six goals on PB in their lone victory.

Neither can claim the other is unbeatable.

That’s exactly what you want heading into a championship.

PB Stars vs. Nordiques.
 7:50 PM. Rink 1. Skate Zone.
 One game for the championship.

Before the title game, the Pylons and Creators meet at 6:10 PM in the third-place game, setting up a full night of hockey before the belt is finally awarded.