NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Estevan Bruins seven-game winning streak came to an end Saturday night, and it took the top-ranked team in Canada to do it.
Estevan lost 7-3 to the Battlefords North Stars in North Battleford. The Stars scored twice in the opening five minutes of the game, and had a 5-0 lead by the midway point of the game.
Alex Blanchard, Kade Runke and Jagjeevan Phangura scored the goals for Estevan.
Holden Doell had a hat trick for the Stars. Jordan Gibbs, Nikolas Smolinski, Tynan Ewart and Tanner Gold had the other Stars’ goals.
Cam Hrdlicka started in goal for the Bruins and allowed five goals on 20 shots. Jackson Miller replaced Hrdlicka and stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced.
Justen Maric stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced for the Stars.
Battlefords was ranked first in the country in the most recent Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings. The Stars suffered their first loss of the season Friday night in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Melfort Mustangs.
The Bruins (8-7) will be back on the ice when they visit the Melfort Mustangs on Oct. 21 and 22.
The Stars (11-0-0-1) will host the Yorkton Terriers on Oct. 20.
