Kendall Fransoo picked an opportunistic time to score his first career SJHL playoff goal.
Fransoo's blast from the point beat Estevan goaltender Matt Gibney through traffic 2:44 into overtime to give the Battlefords North Stars a 3-2 win over the Bruins in game four of their SJHL quarter-final series Wednesday night in Estevan.
The win gives the North Stars a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It was a better start to the game for Battlefords compared to Tuesday night's game. Tanner Quinn had a wrap around attempt that snuck in front of the net, but Brenden Heinrich was unable to get his stick on it. Nick Fountain also put a shot on net, but Reed Delainey, who replaced Ben Greenaway in the lineup, could not poke the puck past Gibney before it was covered.
On an early Bruins penalty, Estevan almost opened the scoring. A shot from the point almost snuck through Gudmandson, but he was able to smother it. Keegan Allison thought the Bruins scored and had to put his arms down after he started to celebrate.
The North Stars got their first power play chance late in the first period. Bruins forward Lynden Pastachak was given a double minor for high-sticking Robin Yew with 3:47 remaining in the first.
The penalty carried over to the beginning of the second period. Just as the man advantage expired, Battlefords opened the scoring. Cameron Blair set up Blake Young, who made a move to his backhand and beat Gibney 14 seconds into the second. Blair has a point in all four games in the series.
Battlefords had the momentum after the goal. Ryne Keller missed a backdoor pass that almost extended the North Stars' lead. They carried the play for the first two minutes of the period.
A defensive lapse almost cost them. The North Stars turned the puck over to Tanner Froese in their own zone. Froese had a chance on net, but was robbed by Battlefords netminder Michael Gudmandson.
The North Stars kept earning quality chances. On a power play, Jake Erickson missed an open net as Gibney was unable to get back into position. Later in the second, Delainey beat Gibney but not the crossbar. He followed up with the play and Delainey's next shot hit the post.
Battlefords extended their lead shortly after an Estevan penalty expired midway through the second. As Pastachak left the penalty box, Blair deked around him and into the Bruins' zone. Blair carried the puck behind the net and attempted a wrap around. Gibney denied the attempt, but Young came in and poked it into the net for his second goal of the game to put the North Stars up 2-0 with 10:45 left in the second.
The Bruins started to gain momentum at the end of the second period, but Gudmandson was able to keep Estevan off the board prior to the intermission.
Battlefords and Estevan shared possession to start the third period. Bruins forward Chase McKersie forced Gudmandson to make a nice save with his blocker to keep the North Stars up two.
Estevan cut the lead in half with 5:16 to play in the third. Gudmandson stopped Froese's shot, but Viterra Division most valuable player Austin Daae was alone at the side of the net and knocked the rebound into the North Stars' net to make it a 2-1 game.
In a scene reminiscent of a game earlier this season, the Bruins tied the game with less than 10 seconds remaining. Froese redirected David Robertson's shot past Gudmandson with 4.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at two. Both Gudmandson and North Stars captain Kyle Schmidt thought the puck was knocked in with a high stick, but the goal counted.
That set the scene for Fransoo 2:44 into overtime. Taylor Reich dug the puck out of the corner and passed it to Fransoo at the point. He blasted the puck past Gibney's glove to give the North Stars a 3-2 win and a 3-1 series lead.
Gudmandson stopped 31 of 33 shots on the night. The North Stars goaltender held the Bruins scoreless for 160 consecutive minutes before surrendering the goal to Daae in the third. Gibey made 30 saves in the Bruins' loss. It was Estevan's ninth game in 12 days.
Battlefords can eliminate the Bruins in game five of their quarter-final series Friday night at the Civic Centre. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
