Defenceman Noah Form leads the lineup to celebrate Saturday night’s victory with netminder, Austin Schwab who picked up 27 saves for the win. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Bark with Bite

North Stars prove top dog in 3-2 win over Hounds

Jan 19, 2020 | 2:15 AM

The Battlefords North Stars topped the Notre Dame Hounds 3-2 Saturday night in the teams’ neutral site showdown at Hllmond Redden Arena.

Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Seth Summers and Matthew Fletcher scored for the Stars, while Austin Schwab made 27 saves on the night for the win.

Jarrett Penner and Jared Hamm potted goals for the Hounds in the loss, while Logan Dyck was excellent throughout, stopping 41 of 43 Stars’ shots on the night to keep his team in it to the end.

Quintin Loon-Stewardson opened the scoring for the North Stars, making it 1-0 Battlefords in the first. The goal served as his team-leading 25^th of the season, and second in as many nights.

Despite an 18-8 shot advantage in the first, the opening period drew to a close with just the one goal on the board.

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In the second, the Stars added to their lead, making it 2-0 courtesy of Seth Summers’ 10^th of the campaign. Slinging the puck home while drifting in from the blue line, Summers’ contribution offered the Stars a hard-earned insurance marker, after dominating large stretches throughout the first 32 minutes.

Seth Summers’ second period goal Friday, served as the defenceman’s second goal and fifth point of the week. The St. Albert, AB., product has now picked up 12 points over his last 10 games, and 38 through 44 games played this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Mathew Fletcher made it 3-0 North Stars later in the period on another shot from the blue line. Receiving a pass at the point off a won faceoff deep, Fletcher picked his spot following a subtle move to the slot, wiring home his ninth of the year.

Heading into the third period, it looked as though the final frame would be more of a technicality than anything, with the Stars firmly in control. That is, until Notre Dame struck back with a pair of goals in their own right.

Jarrett Penner’s wrister from his off-side boards on the power play began his team’s comeback bid, serving as the forward’s team leading 18^th of the year.

Hounds’ captain, Jared Hamm then followed suit, hoisting his 12^th off the crossbar and in from in-tight to make it a one-goal game again at 3-2.

However, that is as close as the Hounds would get on the night. Schwab – and the Stars collectively – came up large when the chips were down for a couple of critical penalty kill efforts, along with a solid push in their own right to close out the night’s contest with 44 shots on the board.

With the win, the North Stars are now 36-7-2 on the year, and with 74 points, remain 15 points up on second place in the league standings.

The North Stars will now get nearly a full week off, before returning to action Jan. 24 against the Melfort Mustangs at the Civic Centre.

Friday’s game will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB. The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will begin with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

6:18 Quintin Loon-Stewardson (25) ASST: Elijah Loon-Stewardson (26), Matthew Fletcher (31) (PP)

Second period:

8:17 Seth Summers (10) ASST: Kaden Boser (12), Ryland McNinch (4)

18:50 Matthew Fletcher (9) ASST: Elijah Loon-Stewardson (27), Quintin Loon-Stewardson (25)

Third period:

1:03 Jarrett Penner (18) ASST: Hardy Wagner (11), Cole Stevenson (12)

15:12 Jared Hamm ASST: Joseph Santalucia (8)

3-2 North Stars, the final.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1