A stellar showing by Nipawin Hawks netminder Kristian Stead proved too much for the Battlefords North Stars to overcome Friday night.
Despite outshooting the Hawks by a 32-24 margin at the Centennial Arena, the North Stars could only find the back of the net once as their eight-game win streak came to an end in a 3-1 loss to the Hawks.
The Hawks, who have a 37-14-2-1 record and moved into first place in the Sherwood Division thanks to a 3-2 loss for the Flin Flon Bombers against the Humboldt Broncos Friday, are the only team that North Stars haven’t won against on the road this year.
The previous meeting between in Nipawin between the two sides saw the Hawks shutout the North Stars 2-0.
While Stead was strong in between the pipes, the Hawks goal scoring was spread out as Thomas Lenchyshyn, Tanner Thompson and Josh Bly all found the back of the net.
Reed Delainey scored early in third period for the North Stars, who saw their record drop to 45-9-1-0.
Joel Grzybowski made 21 saves as he suffered his first loss since a 2-1 overtime defeat to the Weyburn Red Wings on Jan. 13.
The North Stars were without the services of captain Kendall Fransoo Friday, as the defenceman is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks with a knee injury he sustained on a hit by Tate Page of the Kindersley Klippers in a game Wednesday.
Next up for the SJHL regular season champions is a 7:30 p.m. date with the Notre Dame Hounds Saturday at the Civic Centre.
