Florence, Kesslering heroics deliver Stars OT win at Notre Dame

“Coach told me to just go park myself in front of the net and Doeller [Holden Doell] got the puck, got a nice shot through, and the goalie directed it off me and I was able to put it into the empty net; so, it was a pretty nice bounce and a fortunate goal.”

Zane Florence (#3) and Steven Kesslering (#24) combined for four of the North Stars’ five goals Thursday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Florence’s first of the night opened the scoring midway through the first period, making 1-0 on a one-timer from the right-slot. Serving as his sixth of the season, the goal would be the lone tally of the opening frame.

Kesslering’s first, and 10th of the year, made it 2-0 Stars on a highlight-reel shorthanded marker just over five minutes into the second.

Turning on the jets to drive around a pair of defenders and break in on goal, Kesslering then snapped a quick shot off the post and in for the insurance marker.

Following back to back Hounds goals by Brendan Kerr and Dane Probe to knot the game 2-2, Dace Prymak also cashed in for the Stars, with a power play marker on a quick shot in-tight.

Reestablishing the Battlefords’ lead at 3-2, just over four minutes into the third, the goal also served as his eighth of the campaign.

Two Notre Dame goals in the next five minutes then proceeded to flip the game on its head.

Kerr’s second of the night and seventh of the year again knotted the score at 3-3, with Dutil’s 17^th on the power play giving Notre Dame their first lead of the night at 4-3, with just over a half-period to go in regulation.

That lead would last until the final minute – when, with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker – Kesslering received a pass in the slot for a quick release shot top-shelf, to tie the game and force OT with just 45 seconds to go in regulation.

In the extra frame, Florence’s second of the night and seventh of the season came on the power play in OT, converting on a rebound in front of the goal to cap the night in favor of the Stars, 5-4 the final.

Stars goalie, Michael Harroch was also lights out Thursday, making 33 saves on 37 Hounds’ shots to backstop the team to victory. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

With the win, the North Stars improve to 16-6-2 on the season. With 34 points, the team also leapfrog Flin Flon for third overall in the league standings, though the Bombers due hold a single game in-hand.

The North Stars will return to action Friday night in Estevan, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games, against the second-place Bruins.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

10:43 BAT Zane Florence (6) ASST: Holden Doell (14), Jake Southgate (15)

Second period:

5:40 BAT Steven Kesslering (10) ASST: None

12:06 ND Brendan Kerr (6) ASST: Will Dawson (3), Blake Rasmuson (6)

Third period:

3:28 ND Dane Probe (1) ASST: Evan Vanden Heuvel (5), Phil Fath (4)

4:13 BAT Dace Prymak (8) ASST: Tynan Ewart (10), Jake Southgate (16) (PP)

7:07 ND Brendan Kerr (7) ASST: Will Dawson (4)

9:27 ND Elliot Dutil (17) ASST: Kevin Anderson (22), Connor Nolan (20) (PP)

19:15 BAT Steven Kesslering (11) ASST: Tynan Ewart (11)

Overtime:

2:19 BAT Zane Florence (7) ASST: Holden Doell (15), Tynan Ewart (12) (PP)

5-4 North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Florence, Kesslering heroics deliver Stars OT win at Notre Dame

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