The Estevan Bruins closed out their 2021 preseason schedule in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon in Weyburn.
The Bruins scored twice in the 3rd period to force overtime after trailing 3-1 before Mark Rumsey scored his 7th goal of the preseason for the OT winner in a 4-3 victory over the Red Wings.
After losing the first two games in preseason against Weyburn, the Bruins responded with an impressive 8-1 win over Yorkton on Sept. 11th to get in the win column. Hoping to finish the preseason with an even 2-2 record, it wasn’t a great start to the game for Estevan.
Weyburn opened the scoring with just 24 seconds left in the 1st period as Nick Dobson made it 1-0. Then just 2:56 into the 2nd period Jakob Kalin extended the lead to 2-0 for Weyburn. The Bruins would be held off the scoresheet until late in the period as Dayton Deics’ powerplay goal with less than a minute to play closed the gap to 2-1 heading into the 3rd period. Zach Burfoot and Caelan Fitzpatrick assisted on the goal.
Weyburn restored their 2-goal lead early in the 3rd period as Jacob Jakusz beat Bruins’ netminder Eric Clark to make it 3-1. But just over a minute later it would be Keagon Little, playing his first game of the preseason, finishing off a great passing play with a top-shelf shot while falling to make it 3-2. Assists to Fitzpatrick and Nolan Jones. Then just two minutes later at the 8:32 mark, the Bruins’ would tie the game with another powerplay goal. A point shot from Olivier Pouliot went off Rumsey in front and bounced to the corner, where Jones pinched up and threw it towards the net beating Weyburn’s Joseph Young and tying the game at 3-3. That would remain the score until overtime.
On the opening shift of 3-on-3 overtime, newly-acquired defenceman Billy Sowa started the rush from the Bruins’ zone and found Rumsey in the neutral zone. Rumsey cut over the blueline and left the puck for Pouliot. Rumsey immediately drove for the far corner of the net and Pouliot hit him with a perfect return pass as Rumsey tipped the puck home for the game-winner just 39 seconds into the extra frame.
Eric Clark (28/31) was solid in earning the win in net for the Bruins. Rumsey (1G,1A), Jones (1G,1A), Pouliot (2A) and Fitzpatrick (2A) all had multi-point games up front.
The Bruins wrap up the preseason schedule with a 2-2 record. Mark Rumsey finished the preseason as the leading scorer in the SJHL with 12 points (7G, 5A) in 4 games.
The Bruins will now get ready for the games that matter as the 2021/22 regular season begins this Friday, September 24th with the home opener vs the Yorkton Terriers at 7:30pm at Affinity Place. Tickets for Friday’s game available HERE.
You can still get season tickets for the 2021/22 season by CLICKING HERE.