Bruins Blow Out La Ronge 7-1 To Snap Losing Skid

All the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins wanted on Saturday night was a victory, no matter how big or how small it would be.

But thanks to six different goal scorers and suffocating defensive play, it would be the big victory courtesy of a 7-1 dominating performance over the La Ronge Ice Wolves at Affinity Place.

Before the game, the Bruins recognized their first ‘Billet Family of the Month’ this season, with long-time and dedicated supporters Ken & Chris Sali being honoured alongside their billets Aigne McGeady-Bruce, Bronson Adams and Kadin Kilpatrick.

Then after opening puckdrop, the Bruins wasted little time in hopes of avenging their 2-1 loss to La Ronge just four night before.

Johnny Witzke would get the scoring started, sniping a quick wrist shot on the powerplay to put the Bruins up 1-0 at the 7:51 mark. Assists to Turner Ripplinger and Bronson Adams.

La Ronge would bounce back, with Captain Kolby Johnson countering with a powerplay goal as well to make it 1-1 halfway through the opening period. But after that, the Bruins took control and never relinquished it again.

At the 14:53 mark while on another powerplay, a shot by George Cathers deflected off Tristyn Deroose and past La Ronge goaltender Jordan Frey to put the Bruins up 2-1. McGeady-Bruce also assisted on the play.

Just 32 seconds later, a pretty passing play from Deroose to Eddie Gallagher set up a one-timer to Tanner Manz who picked top corner to make it 3-1. The Bruins’ powerplay stayed hot, with Witzke scoring his second of the period at the 19:30 mark to put Estevan up 4-1 after the 1st period. Bryce Platt and Jake Heerspink assisted on Witzke’s marker.

Any thoughts of a comeback would be snuffed out just 43 seconds into the 2nd period, as the Bruins’ leading scorer Turner Ripplinger scored from Platt and McGeady-Bruce to make it 5-1. Then at the 7:27 mark, Gallagher banged home the loose puck for his first career SJHL goal to give Estevan a comfortable 6-1 lead. Deroose and Tanner Manz assisted on the play. At the end of the period in a scrum, Ice Wolves captain Kolby Johnson was issued a Gross Misconduct and ejected for the remainder of the game.

The 3rd period played out routinely, with Cathers scoring a late goal at the 17:27 mark to round our the scoring at 7-1. Deroose’s 3rd assist and Heerspink’s 2nd helper set up the play.

Jake Anthony was untested for large chunks of the game, but was strong in net for the Bruins stopping 17/18 shots. Jordan Frey (13/17) was tagged with the loss for La Ronge, while Merek Pipes (26/29) came in relief for the 2nd and 3rd period. Final shots were 46-18 for Estevan.

The Bruins special teams helped carry the team to victory, as Estevan went (3/5) on the powerplay, while holding La Ronge to (1/7) on their powerplay.

Attendance for the night was at 968, with the 50/50 jackpot finishing at $3,205.

Our ‘Mr. Mike’s Billet Family Of The Month’: Ken & Chris Sali with Aigne McGeady-Bruce and Bronson Adams. (Missing: Kadin Kilpatrick)