The Estevan Bruins were able to shake off a close 5-4 loss on Friday night to the Melfort Mustangs less than 24 hours later, taking care of business with a 4-1 victory over the Nipawin Hawks on Saturday night.
The Bruins would open the scoring on the powerplay 7:49 into the game, as Caelan Fitzpatrick finished off a quick passing play for his 5th goal of the year to make it 1-0. Assists to Brandon Ambrozik and Kade Runke on the play.
The Bruins built on that lead early in the 2nd period as just 2:08 into the frame, Prescot Senger would send Olivier Pouliot down the right wing with speed, and Pouliot ripped a wrist shot past Nipawin’s Dylan Lacroix for his 2nd goal of the year to make it 2-0 for the Bruins.
That remained the score until early in the 3rd period, when Bruins’ starter Cam Hrdlicka would see his shutout bid snapped in his first home game of the year. Nipawin’s Joel Mabin came out from the boards and beat Hrdlicka blocker-side to cut the Bruins’ lead to 2-1 at the 2:17 mark of the final frame. But the Bruins would restore their two-goal lead shortly thereafter, as Runke would pick up a loose puck in the Hawks’ zone and surprise Lacroix with a quick shot for Runke’s 3rd of the season made it 3-1, with Fitzpatrick assisting on the goal. The Bruins would hold onto the lead, and Runke would add an empty-netter with only five seconds remaining to make the final score 4-1 for Estevan.
Hrdlicka (25/26) was outstanding in net, earning his first career SJHL win in front of the hometown fans. Lacroix (25/28) was tagged with the loss for Nipawin. The Bruins went (1/5) on the powerplay while holding Nipawin (0/5) without a goal on the man advantage. The Bruins have scored at least one powerplay goal in every game this season.
The Bruins (5-3-0-0) will play twice more at home this upcoming week before beginning a 4-game road trip. On Wednesday, Oct. 20th the Bruins host the Flin Flon Bombers (9-3-0-0) and on Thursday, Oct. 21st, the La Ronge Ice Wolves (3-7-1-0) come to Affinity Place. Both games start at 7:00pm.