Matthew Saharchuk is having a solid season for the Battlefords North Stars (21-13-6-1) with 31 points in 41 games.
Despite the good stat line, he hadn't scored since Dec. 6.
Until Wednesday.
Saharchuk scored with practically no time remaining on the clock in overtime as the North Stars won their second straight game, 2-1 in Humboldt against the Broncos (16-21-5-0.)
Spencer Trembley was solid once again, making 25 saves for his second win in a row after missing two games over the weekend.
Trembley was held out of the lineup for the first two games of their three-game road trip over the weekend after taking a knee to the head the last time these two teams met Jan. 13.
The Broncos jumped out in front nearly halfway through the first, when Jon Brumwell scored his seventh of the year, assisted by Austin Duzan and Matthew Kenney.
The North Stars tied it late in the period when Matthew Statchuk scored on the power play for his fourth of the season with 2:35 remaining in the first. Brenden Heinrich and Saharchuk picked up the assists on the opening goal.
The period came to an end with the score deadlocked and the shots 9-7 in favour of the North Stars.
Despite two power play chances for each team in the second, neither was able to capitalize as they headed to the final frame still tied at one.
The only penalty of the third came with just over six minutes remaining in the period, when the North Stars were called for too many men on the ice.
Despite good puck control by the Broncos, they weren't able to solve Trembley and as the clock wound down, the North Stars prepared for their third straight overtime game.
A back and forth overtime frame saw both teams carry the puck well and have tense moments near the net with a few shots each.
The North Stars had control of the puck in the Broncos end in the final seconds of the game, as it seemed they would head to a shootout, which would have been Battlefords third straight.
It was with less than a second on the clock that Saharchuk jammed home the puck during a scramble in the crease to give the North Stars a 2-1 win.
After the game, North Stars head coach and GM Kevin Hasselberg noted how important it was for Saharchuk to end his goalless drought.
"It was a matter of time," he said. "His feet were moving, he was protecting pucks and I think that's what really turned it around for him tonight. It was good to see him find that puck and hit the back of the net, so good job for Matty."
He also mentioned how they've been focusing more on their much-improved special teams.
"We did some really good things last week," he said. "We ended up scoring three goals on our power play last week, but we also gave up three short-handed goals. Tonight the power play clicked, we don't give up any shorthanded chances, and the penalty kill gets the job done, so that's the percentages we're looking for."
The North Stars now have today off before hosting the Estevan Bruins (15-20-1-6) tomorrow in a rematch of Sunday’s tilt where the North Stars shut out the Bruins 1-0 in a shootout.
They then welcome the Nipawin Hawks (25-11-2-3) Saturday as their busy January schedule continues.
After Saturday's game the North Stars will have played eight games in 17 days.
