North Stars teammates gather together to celebrate their seventh straight win, and ninth in their last 10 games, Friday night in Estevan. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars Stay Hot

North Stars top Bruins 2-1 in Estevan for seventh straight win

Nov 27, 2021 | 1:20 AM

The Battlefords North Stars extended their winning streak to seven games Friday, topping the Estevan Bruins 2-1 in Estevan.

A matchup featuring the top two offenses in the league – each averaging over four goals per-contest heading into play – it was the performance of the goaltenders at either end that stole the show for much of the night.

North Stars goalie, Michael Harroch stopped 34 of 35 Bruins’ shots for the win, while Estevan’s Boston Bilous saved 32 of 34 at the other end.

The Bruins’ first shot of the night came on a diving effort by Olivier Pouliot just minutes into the opening frame. Sprawling out to whack a loose puck on goal, Harroch answered the bell with an arm stop off his right elbow, to keep the game scoreless.

On a similar note, Bilous also make some dandies early, including one on an Owen Lugowski shot from the line, deflected in the mid-slot by Dylan Esau in front.

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Despite several good chances at either end, the first period would end in a scoreless tie, as the Stars held a 12-9 shot advantage at the first intermission.

Mikol Sartor opened the scoring, making it 1-0 Bruins just a minute into the second, before the North Stars answered back with one of their own, minutes later from Steven Kesslering.

Cashing in for his 12^th of the season, and third in his last two games, Kesslering’s goal came off a rush chance, on a quick release in front, knotting the score 1-1 just after a Battlefords penalty kill.

Late in the second, Holden Doell then gave the Stars their first lead of the night, on a power play marker off a rebound in front. His fourth of the season, the tally gives the forward three goals over his last four games.

Unknown at the time, Doell’s 2-1 marker would also go on to serve as the game winner on the night.

Despite an extended 1:09 of 5-on-3 in the third, the Bruins were unable to break through against the North Stars PK, highlighted by a Harroch stop from his rear end to thwart a Mark Rumsey rebound chance in front, keeping his team in the lead.

With the victory, the North Stars improve to 17-6-2 on the season. With 36 points on the year, the team is now tied with second place Estevan, though the Bruins do hold a single game in-hand. Both teams are just two back of league-leading Humboldt (38 points).

The North Stars will wrap their three-game swing Saturday night in Weyburn, looking to make it eight straight victories, against the Red Wings.

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

Scoring summary

First period:

No scoring

Second period:

0:58 EST Mikol Sartor (9) ASST: Caelan Fitzpatrick (12), Kian Calder (13)

7:22 BAT Steven Kesslering (12) ASST: Dace Prymak (9)

19:17 BAT Holden Doell (4) ASST: Sam Witt (8), Zane Florence (7) (PP)

Third period:

No scoring

2-1 North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1