The Estevan Bruins had little trouble extinguishing one of the hottest teams in the SJHL Tuesday night.
In their first and only visit to La Ronge this regular season, the Bruins built a 5-0 second period lead and never looked back on their way to a 7-3 win over the previously streaking Ice Wolves.
La Ronge had gone 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games following a very successful road trip but couldn’t keep up with the Bruins on home ice at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
Estevan captain Eric Houk led the charge with a pair of goals. Zach Burfoot, Brandon Ambrozik, Alex Von Sprecken, Caelan Fitzpatrick, and Kade Runke also scored for the Bruins.
Boston Bilous made 25 saves for his 24th win of the season.
The Bruins outshot La Ronge 47-28.
The two teams tangled again on Wednesday night with ended in a different result.
Tye Evans’ goal in the final minute of the third period proved to be the game winner as the La Ronge Ice Wolves beat the Estevan Bruins 3-1 Wednesday night at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
The two teams split the back-to-back, with Estevan winning 7-3 on Tuesday night.
The loss was costly for the Bruins in the standings, as the Humboldt Broncos won their game to pull to within two points of the Bruins for first place in the SJHL.
Forward Olivier Pouliot scored the lone goal for Estevan, a highlight reel marker late in the second period. Walker Jerome scored the other two goals for La Ronge.
The Ice Wolves beat the Bruins in three of four meetings this season.
Estevan remains in the driver’s seat as far as clinching first place is concerned. The Bruins will play two games against Melville, one with Notre Dame, and one with the Weyburn Red Wings to end the year. All three of those teams are currently out of a playoff spot.
The final stretch begins Saturday night at Affinity Place when the Bruins host the Millionaires.
Written by Nolan Kowal