ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins were shut out for the first time this season in a 1-0 defeat against the Battlefords North Stars on Tuesday at Affinity Place.
Stars' defenceman Sam Witt had the lone goal – a point shot that found its way past Bruins’ goaltender Boston Bilous with just under 10 minutes to play in the second period.
Despite the score, it was a highly entertaining clash between two of the powerhouse teams in the league.
The Bruins had plenty of chances to score throughout the game. They outshot the Stars 39-21, with 17 of those shots coming in the second period. The Stars had excellent chances to score, too, in addition to the lone goal.
The Stars held the Bruins to nine shots on goal in the third, although there were a few quality scoring chances for Estevan once again.
Bilous made 20 saves for the Bruins, while Michael Harroch finished with 39 saves for the Stars on the night.
It was also the Bruins first loss on home ice in regulation since a 2-1 defeat against the North Stars in late November. Battlefords won three of the four meetings with Estevan this year.
Estevan (36-9-1-3) will face the Yorkton Terriers on Feb. 16, and then play a home and home against the Weyburn Red Wings on the weekend, visiting the Wings on Feb. 18 and hosting Weyburn the following night at 7:30 p.m.
As for the Stars (26-13-5-1), they will visit Weyburn on Feb. 16.
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