Michael Gudmandson stopped 29 shots en route to his first shutout of the playoffs as the Battlefords North Stars downed the Bruins 3-0 in Estevan in game three of their best-of-seven SJHL quarter-final series Tuesday night.
With the win, the North Stars took a 2-1 lead in the series.
It was a sluggish start for the North Stars. Gudmandson was forced to make two early saves after some defensive zone turnovers. The Bruins' pressure forced the North Stars defence, especially Dillon Forbes, to block multiple shots in the first three minutes.
The Bruins quick start gave them an 8-0 advantage in shots, but no goals for their effort. Battlefords first shot resulted in a goal.
After Estevan winger Ben Johnstone took a holding penalty 6:58 into the first, the North Stars got on the board. Battlefords captain Kyle Schmidt, who was named co-recipient of the Roger Neilson award, found Luke McColgan on the wing with the power play set up. McColgan blasted the puck past Bruins goalie Matt Gibney to give the North Stars a 1-0 lead 7:24 into the first. There was traffic in front of the net and Gibney believed he was interfered with, but the goal stood.
Estevan responded with more pressure. Wyatt Garagan deflected a shot on net with his backhand, but Gudmandson was equal to the challenge.
McColgan had a change to extend the lead to two. After an Estevan turnover, the North Stars forward found himself with space and a rolling puck. Gibney stopped the shot with his blocker to keep it a one-goal game heading into the first intermission.
With coincidental minors called at the end of the first, Estevan and Battlefords started the second period playing four-on-four hockey. The North Stars were sluggish out of the gate again, but Gudmandson kept his shutout alive.
At the other end of the ice, Battlefords forward Taylor Reich stretched for a loose puck after a scoring chance. He appeared to tweak something and fell to the ice awkwardly. Reich received some attention on the bench, but returned to the game.
Tanner Froese of the Bruins had a chance to tie the game from the slot. He got a rolling puck in the slot, but was pestered by North Stars defenceman Robin Yew. Froese was able to get a shot off, but Gudmandson turned it away.
It was a different start to the third period for the North Stars. They started strong offensively with a scoring chance 10 seconds into the period. Blake Young cut in front of Gibney, but missed an open net.
The North Stars then took two straight penalties. McColgan was sent off for roughing 56 seconds into the third. Near the end of the penalty, Young had another chance. With the puck loose, he appeared to poke the puck into the net. However, the referee blew his whistle before Young got to the puck. The referee determined it was an unnecessary slash and gave the Battlefords forward a penalty.
Gudmandson was forced to make another save to keep Battlefords ahead. After a defensive miscommunication, Garagan was alone in the slot. Gudmandson was able to make the save to preserve the 1-0 lead.
Midway through the third, Battlefords got their insurance goal. Cameron Blair continued his hot streak by beating Gibney on the short side. Blair did not have much room to shoot, but was able to find space to get the puck past the Estevan netminder with 9:45 to play. It was the third goal in three playoff games for the North Stars forward.
Nick Fountain put the game out of reach 45 seconds later for the North Stars. On a rush into the zone, Igor Leonenko set up Fountain, whose shot beat Gibney before the net came off its moorings. It was determined the puck crossed first and gave the North Stars a 3-0 lead with 8:59 remaining.
Gudmandson took the North Stars the rest of the way, making eight saves in the third period as Battlefords regained home-ice advantage in the series.
Game four is Wednesday night in Estevan. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The series returns to the Civic Centre Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. start.
