Late Heroics Lead Bruins To 2-1 Shootout Win In Battlefords

The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins had a couple of pucks trickle over the line in their favour on Friday night in a huge 2-1 shootout victory over the Battlefords North Stars to start their 3-game road trip.

Winners of four straight games, the Bruins came into Friday’s game looking to keep the momentum going against the North Stars. But both teams locked down the defensive zone for much of the game with very few quality chances throughout the game.

Bruins’ goaltender Jake Anthony and Battlefords netminder Joel Gryzbowski shut the door in the first two periods of play.

Battlefords took the lead early in the 3rd period as MacGregor Sinclair beat Anthony off a scramble in front to put the North Stars up 1-0. In the final minutes, the Bruins pushed for the tying goal but were unable to get anything past Gryzbowski until the dying seconds.

Wtih 11 seconds left, the Bruins shot the puck on goal off the offensive zone faceoff. Gryzbowski made the save but couldn’t cover the puck before Bryce Platt dug it loose and tucked home the equalizer with 6.7 seconds left in regulation to make it 1-1. TJ Irey and Mike McChesney assisted on the play.

Overtime solved nothing, and the Bruins would head to their third shootout of the season, winning the first two.

Mike McChesney shot first for Estevan and though his shot was initially stopped by Gryzbowski, it trickled out of his goalie equipment and over the goal line. Anthony stopped the first shooter for Battlefords.

Turner Ripplinger sniped top corner on his attempt, forcing Battlefords to score or the game would be over. Once again, Anthony didn’t flinch and stopped the North Stars shooter for the 2-1 shootout victory.

The Bruins (12-10) have now won five straight games. They will look to extend their winning streak on Saturday night as they face the Kindersley Klippers for the final time in the regular season.

Catch the game on Rock106 by listening to the Southern Plains Co-Op Bruins App, starting at 7:30pm.