By Craig Beauchemin

Late goal gives Bombers 1-0 series lead over North Stars

Apr 2, 2016 | 8:57 AM

The Battlefords North Stars were 34.7 seconds away from heading to overtime against the Flin Flon Bombers. Instead, the Bombers jammed the puck past Tyler Fuhr to take a late lead and win game one.

It was a goaltenders duel as Fuhr finished with 34 saves while rookie Bombers goalie Brenden Newton stopped 41 to lead his team to a 1-0 series lead, stealing home ice advantage away from the North Stars.

The Bombers opened scoring in the final few minutes of the first period. A shot from the left wing by Brandon Switzer was stopped by Fuhr, but the rebound bounced off Alex Smith and into the net for his second goal of the playoffs.

Newton, who allowed just six goals in the four-and-a-half games against Weyburn in the first round, continued to stand tall as he stopped all 17 shots he faced in the first period. It took the North Stars until nearly half way through the second period to solve him.

North Stars centre Rory Davidson used his speed to race down the left wing before jamming the puck on goal as he did a fly by. His second jam attempt snuck under the pad of Newton as Davidson’s first of the playoffs tied the game.

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Both teams were unable to score on the man advantage, but didn’t have many chances as the Bombers went 0-for-1 while the North Stars finished 0-for-4. The North Stars had solid puck movement at times during their power plays, but Newton came up with big glove saves to keep the game tied.

The end-to-end action continued in the third period as both teams had furious chances to take the lead, but both goaltenders stood tall.

There were no bigger saves than Fuhrs glove save with 58 seconds left in the game.

Cody Spagrud’s shot from the right point broke his stick, and he and Connor Sych got their signals crossed while getting back defensively. Spagrud started heading towards the bench to get a new stick, while Sych thought he was staying in his defensive position on the right side of the ice, so both North Stars defenceman vacated the left wing side.

Bombers left-winger Joel Kocur took advantage, as he gathered the loose puck and flew down the left wing before firing a shot towards the top corner of the net. Fuhr reached up with the glove and made a phenomenal glove save, keeping the game tied.

The Bombers sucked all the air out of the Civic Centre of the ensuring faceoff however.

Jordan Wiest couldn’t find the puck in his skates and the Bombers threw it on goal. It resulted in a mad scramble just in front of the crease, and despite eight players being within five feet of the crease, the Bombers were somehow able to sneak the puck through the pads of Fuhr to take a 2-1 lead with 34.7 seconds left on the clock.

It’s not the first time the Bombers have scored a late goal in regulation to win a game at the Civic Centre, as they did the same thing December 19 en route to a 4-2 win.

Tyson Empey, a former Battlefords AAA Star, would add the empty netter as he sealed the 3-1 win for the Bombers.

The Bombers managed to steal a win despite four regulars, Jason Lavallee, Brandon Lesko, Joseph Leonidas and Brandon Masson, being suspended following their actions during the brawl following game four against Weyburn. They are all eligible to return to the lineup for game two.

The good news for the North Stars is they have a quick chance to forget about game one as game two is Saturday, April 2.

It could be viewed as a must-win game for the North Stars as they lost all three games in Flin Flon this season.

cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @craig_beauch