North Stars teammates gather around Stars goalie, Michael Harroch, following his shutout performance in Estevan Tuesday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Statement win

Harroch stops 39 for shutout, as Stars blank league-leading Bruins

Feb 16, 2022 | 12:49 AM

It was another night for the books for North Stars goalie, Michael Harroch Tuesday, as the North Vancouver product picked up a 39-save shutout, to lead his team to a 1-0 win over first-place Estevan.

Making several key stops throughout the night, among them was a pair of highlight-reel saves on silky net-drive plays by Bruins’ forward Olivier Pouliot, a full-split save on a Caelen Fitzpatrick deflection, and a glove stop on a Mark Rumsay rocket in the third, which was among the six or seven stops he made on the league’s leading goal scorer.

For Harroch, the shutout served as his third of the season, and second in his last five games, coming just 14 days after his 39-save shutout over the (at the time) league leading Broncos in Humboldt, back on Feb. 1.

Stars defenceman, Sam Witt scored the lone goal of the game at the 10:14 mark of the second period, cashing in for his third of the season, from the top of the slot on a wrister just inside the post along the ice.

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A goaltender’s dual much of the night, Witt’s tally was the lone puck to get past Estevan’s Boston Bilous, who was also all-but perfect throughout night, stopping 20 of 21 shots against in the defeat.

With the win, the Stars cap their season series with the Bruins, 3-1 through the four meetings, and improve to 26-13-6 overall this season. With now 58 points, the team leapfrog Melfort (also at 58 points) into fourth overall in the league standings, as the Battlefords still hold three games in-hand.

The Stars will now look to keep the momentum rolling, as the team will make their second stop on their three-in-three southern road swing this week, Wednesday when they head to Weyburn to play the Red Wings.

The NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring summary

First period:

No scoring

Second period:

10:14 BAT Sam Witt (3) ASST: Ethan Scriven (10), Ryland McNinch (20)

Third period:

No scoring

1-0 North Stars, the Final

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1