The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins return to action Friday night at Affinity Place, as the team hosts the league-leading Flin Flon Bombers for a grudge match.
The Bruins enter play third in the Bunge Division and sixth overall in the SJHL standings, with a 21-16-3 record through 40 games. With 45 points, the Bruins sit just three back of fifth-place Yorkton and two up on seventh-place Kindersley. The team will be eager to snap a three-game skid to get back on the winning track, and avenge their pair of losses: 2-1 and 5-0 to the Bombers last weekend in Flin Flon.
The Bombers lead the UPL Division and occupy first overall, with a 29-9-2 record through 40 games. Their 60 points are five-up on the field, as both second-place Battlefords and third-place Weyburn have 55 apiece. Flin Flon will be looking to bounce-back from a 3-2 overtime loss in Weyburn Wednesday, their first in 12 games (11-0-1 on their current point streak).
Players to watch
Bruins’ forwards Nathaniel Harvey and Colton Getzlaff will make their return to the lineup Friday, after serving a one-game suspension each (Harvey for a check-from-behind; Getzlaff for the second fight during a stoppage) last Saturday in Flin Flon.
Harvey, who’s speed and skill will be a key asset, has registered 12 goals and 18 points in 25 games this season, clicking at just under a half-goal per-game average. Getzlaff, who will line up to his left-wing tonight, has 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 39 games while providing a physical edge.
The two should bring some valuable offensive spark to a Bruins’ offense that has been top-five in the league this season averaging 3.7 goals/game (5th), but has struggled as of late, with just two goals total over their last three games.
Bombers’ forwards Reid Arberry and Maverick Deslisle headline the forwards to watch for the visitors.
Arberry enters play on a nine-game streak, with 13 points (six goals, eight assists) total over the span. Deslisle, who was injured and missed both games against the Bruins last weekend, made his return to play earlier this week, posting points in back-to-back games against Nipawin and Weyburn to extend his streak to 10-straight with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in that time.
On the season the two sit second (Deslisle: 39 points) and third (Arberry: 37 points) in Bombers’ scoring.
Special teams
As was the case versus Yorkton, special teams play will again be of paramount importance for both sides, as the teams sit first (FF: 26.5%) and third (EST: 22.1%) in power play efficiency this year.
Goaltending
Between the pipes, Nathan Kam will make his first start since returning to the Bruins from a temporary call-up to Kelowna of the WHL in mid-January. On the season, Kam is 9-4-0 in 14 games with a 2.79 goals against average and .923 save percentage.
Finn Werner will get the start for the Bombers, after earning his second shutout of the season last Saturday. Werner is 9-1-0 in 10 appearances this season, with a 1.90 goals against average and .922 save percentage.
Friday’s game will be available on FloHockey and for free on the Bruins’ YouTube Livestream. Pregame will begin at 6:45 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.
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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
