Latrell Charleson scored the decisive goal in the shootout as the Battlefords North Stars beat the Flin Flon Bombers 3-2 Wednesday night at the Civic Centre.
North Stars goaltender Michael Gudmandson stopped 43 shots in regulation and overtime, and four out of five shooters in the shootout to pick up his seventh win with the team.
The teams traded chances early in the first period. Flin Flon goaltender Darren Buffalo turned away a two-on-one attempt 1:15 into the game. North Stars forward Luke McColgan saw his wrap-around attempt hit the post and bounce out. At the other end of the ice, Gudmandson made a couple of saves in close as two Flin Flon forwards were buzzing around the net.
The North Stars had a great chance to open the scoring on a shorthanded rush. Battlefords forward Reed Delainey's shot fooled Buffalo who lost sight of the puck. Jack Petrino hit the side of the net on the rebound, ending the scoring chance.
Flin Flon opened the scoring 4:36 into the period. Dean Allison dug the puck out of the corner for the Bombers and centred the puck. Paul Soubry was in front of the net and knocked it past Gudmanson to put Flin Flon up 1-0.
The physicality picked up between the two teams shortly after. North Stars defenceman Kendall Fransoo was penalized for roughing with 2:49 left in the frame. Flin Flon forward Erik Pederson was sent off for boarding after checking Blake Young into the boards. Young was not happy and was heard throughout the arena cursing at Pederson.
North Stars forward Nick Fountain had a golden opportunity to tie the game. He was all alone in front of the net after causing a turnover, but could not beat Buffalo.
After Flin Flon killed off a four-minute North Stars' power play, the Bombers extended their lead midway through the second. Danys Chartrand's shot from the point found the back of the net after Gudmandson was unable to get his glove on the puck.
Battlefords cut the lead to one with five minutes left in the frame. Buffalo gave up a big rebound off McColgin's initial shot. Jake McMillen pounced on the rebound and slid the puck between Buffalo's pads and across the goal line.
The goal released the teddy bears for the teddy bear toss. All of the bears collected on the ice were donated to the WPD Ambulance and their "Cram our Ambulance" campaign.
The North Stars completed the comeback and tied the game with one minute to go in the period. Petrino carried the puck into the Bombers' end, skated behind the net and centred the puck for Austin Evans who beat Buffalo.
The teams traded chances in the third as the action went up and down the ice. There were not many stoppages in the period as the teams settled down into a tight checking game.
Gudmandson saved the game for the North Stars when he made a diving save with eight minutes left in the period. He kept the puck out of the net with a couple of Bombers' forwards in the crease scrambling to get their sticks on it.
McColgin found himself on a partial breakaway late in the third. He deked and shot with his backhand, but Buffalo tracked the puck and made a nice glove save.
The North Stars kept up the pressure at the tail end of the third period. Battlefords defenseman Dillon Forbes shot his wrist shot high and wide by Buffalo's glove. McColgin also had a couple of quick chances with 45 seconds left before overtime.
In the extra frame, the North Stars controlled much of the play, outshooting the Bombers 5-1. However, overtime solved nothing.
In the shootout, Flin Flon's second shooter Austin Calladine beat Gudmandson through his five hole. McMillen had to score to extend the game and he did, deking Buffalo out of position and shooting it into the top of the net.
In the fifth round, Charleson's wrist shot beat Buffalo high on his glove side. AJ Kapcheck needed to score to keep the game alive, but did not beat Gudmandson as the puck stopped just short of crossing the goal line.
It was the final game before the winter break for the North Stars (18-16-0-2). Battlefords are third in the Kramer Division, and are six points behind Kindersley. The North Stars are in action next Jan. 3 in Humboldt against the Broncos. The next home game is Jan. 4 against those same Broncos.
