The Estevan Bruins lost for the first time at Affinity Place this season, dropping a 5-4 decision to the SJHL-leading Melfort Mustangs on Friday night.
It was expected to be a highly-entertaining game between two top teams and lived up to the billing. Cody Davis got the scoring started just 1:04 into the game, as his first of the year made it 1-0 early. Melfort answered with a pair of goals from Alex Moar and Liam McInnis to make it 2-1, but Mark Rumsey responded with his 5th of the year to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the 2nd period.
The Mustangs retook the lead scoring back-to-back goals once again, with Carter Anderson and Boston Maxwell making it 4-2 for the visitors. Less than a minute after Maxwell’s goal, Kade Runke would get his 2nd of the season to cut the deficit to 4-3 heading into the final period.
Just 1:02 into the final frame, Mikol Sartor scored his first goal as a Bruin to tie the game at 4-4. Melfort would answer yet again as Damon Byers scored midway through the period to make it 5-4 for the Mustangs. The Bruins couldn’t tie the game up right away and took a late penalty to snuff out any comeback chance late, as Melfort held on for the 5-4 victory.
Boston Bilous (17/22) was tagged with the loss for the Bruins, while Joel Favreau (22/26) earned the win for Melfort. Each team went (1/4) on the powerplay.
The Bruins (4-3-0-0) will look to bounce back on Saturday night as they host the Nipawin Hawks (5-4-0-0) at 7:30pm at Affinity Place.