Dillon Forbes scored in the 17th round of the shootout to give the Battlefords North Stars a 2-1 win over the Notre Dame Hounds at the Civic Centre Friday night.
North Stars defenceman Kendall Fransoo was the only skater not to participate in the shootout between the two teams.
Battlefords started the first period strong, drawing a penalty 1:21 into the game. They drew another penalty about three minutes later, but were unable to get anything going. With the power plays, the North Stars were outshooting the Hounds 8-0 6:33 into the game.
The best scoring chance of the period belonged to Battlefords. Jake McMillen deflected Jake Erickson's shot in front of the net, but Hounds goaltender Alexi Thibaudeau was able to make the save.
The physical play picked up early in the second. Notre Dame forward Logan Saworski laid out Forbes with a hip check as Forbes crossed into the Hounds' zone.
The Hounds opened the scoring with McMillen in the box for high sticking. Dillion Schwartzenberger's point shot found its way through traffic and past a screened North Stars goaltender Michael Gudmandson for a power play marker.
Following the goal, the Hounds kept the pressure on the North Stars. Gudmandson was forced to make another good save, this time using his shoulder to keep the puck out of his net. The North Stars first shot of the period came with three minutes left in the second. Thibaudeau made a nice reaction save after Fransoo's shot was blocked. The puck rolled right to Brenden Heinrich, but he couldn't beat Thibaudeau.
Battlefords increased the pressure late in the second while on the power play with a minute left, but were unable to tally the equalizer.
It was a sluggish start to the third period, without either team able to add to the scoreboard. Thibaudeau was forced to make another great save to preserve the one-goal lead. He dove across his crease to make the save on Erickson after giving up a big rebound.
The chances kept coming for the North Stars. McMillen was unable to get his stick on a rebound kicked out by Thibaudeau.
Notre Dame was pinned back in their end and eventually took a penalty for high sticking. Ryne Keller and Nick Fountain had great chances to tie the game, but each missed the net on their respective deflections.
Battlefords finally solved Thibaudeau with 4:40 left. Following a great shift of cycling the puck, Erickson had possession at the point. His shot appeared to be deflected before it beat Thibaudeau, but Erickson still received credit for the goal.
With the game heading to overtime, it appeared that the North Stars would have a power play after Cory Anderson crashed into Gudmandson with nine seconds left. In an effort to stand up for his goaltender, McMillen rushed to the net and jumped Anderson. For his act, McMillen was given a two-minute minor for roughing and taking away the North Stars' potential power play.
The play was wide open in the overtime period as it started with three skaters on the ice for each team. Notre Dame was given a penalty for boarding with three minutes to play, but the North Stars were unable to take advantage.
In the shootout, Latrell Charleson scored in the third round to keep the North Stars' hopes of victory alive. Regan Yew beat Thibaudeau in the 10th round, but Jared Martin responded for the Hounds. Taylor Reich gave the North Stars a chance to win in the 13th, but again the Hounds responded as Kevin Madden scored on Gudmandson. After Forbes scored in the 17th, Will Lightfoot was stopped by Gudmandson to end the shootout and the game.
Gudmandson stopped 19 of 20 shots faced to earn his 12th win of the season. Thibaudeau made 38 saves en route to his 12th loss of the season.
