The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins return to action Saturday night in Weyburn to reignite their Highway 39 Rivalry with the Red Wings in the first matchup of the season between the two storied franchises.
A look at the Numbers
The Bruins enter play fourth in the Viterra Division and 10th overall in the SJHL standings with a 5-6-2 record through 13 games. Coming off a big 5-3 win a night ago against Melville, the team should be feeling confident as they look to keep momentum rolling against another of the league’s heavyweights.
The Red Wings enter play first in the division and leading the league overall, with an 11-4-1 record through 16 games. The team has been especially impressive of late, riding a 12-game point streak (11-0-1) into play, coming off back-to-back wins over Kindersley last weekend.
Players to watch
Saturday’s matchup will feature two of the top goal scorers in the league this season, headlining each team’s offensive attack.
Ethan DeKay of the Red Wings leads the league with 12 goals in just 13 games, having scored three goals and six points in his last three games. Luke Hogan of the Bruins sits just back with nine goals on the season – each coming in his last nine games – including another two-goal performance a night ago against Melville.
Special teams
Both teams enter play Saturday night with top-five power plays in the league. Weyburn (4th – clicking at 22.4 percent) are coming off a game last Saturday that saw them go 2/2 up-a-man against Kindersley. Estevan (T-5th – clicking at 22.1 percent) are coming off a game in which they scored three with the man advantage against the Millionaires.
Weyburn do hold the edge on the penalty kill, sitting 4th (81.4 percent) to Estevan’s 8th (78.2) through the numbers indicate just how tight the margin of difference is across the league.
Goaltending
Goals will likely be at a premium Saturday with two of the elite goaltenders in the SJHL expected to battle it out between the pipes, in Estevan’s Kyle Kelsey and Weyburn’s Dazza Mitchell.
Kelsey has been the ultimate stabilizer since being acquired by the Bruins last month, posting a 3-2-1 record through six games with a 2.81 goals against average and .924 save percentage. Mitchell, a finalist for SJHL Top Goaltender a season ago, is 4-2-0 through six games this season, to go along with a 2.50 goals against average and .934 save percentage.
Where to tune in
Saturday’s game will be available on FloHockey and for free on the Bruins’ Official YouTube Livestream. The Room By Room Pregame Show will begin on the livestream at 6:45 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.
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Marty Martinson/Estevan Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
