The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins return to action Friday night, as the team hosts the Nipawin Hawks to open a two-game weekend home stand.
Friday’s matchup will feature a battle of two teams determined to earn their first win of the 2024-25 season.
The Bruins (0-3-0) enter play looking to build on a dominant finish last Friday, which saw the team outshoot the defending champion, Melfort Mustangs 16-3 in the third period, pushing right to the final horn with their best sustained pressure of the early season in a 2-1 defeat.
The Hawks (0-5-0) will be eager to bounce-back from a tough 5-0 loss to Notre Dame a night ago, and right the ship quickly heading into their second of three-games in three-nights.
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Goal-scoring will be at a premium Friday, as both teams work to find their stride offensively in the early part of the year.
Despite having scored just five goals through three games (Bruins) and eight in five (Hawks), both teams have seen a number of different players chip in to light the lamp.
The Bruins have four different goal scorers as Rorey Elson’s pair leads the club, while Odin George, Reed Gramlich, and Luke Lawford have also notched a single apiece. Newly-acquired Jacob Hufty, who is expected to make his Bruins’ debut next week, also had a goal in four games with La Ronge prior to coming over.
Nipawin has seen eight different players contribute their first eight goals, including Finley Radloff, Jack Janzen and Will Whitter who sit tied for the team lead in points as well with three apiece.
Between the pipes, Ben Polhill will get the start for Estevan again Friday, having played in each of the Bruins’ first three games. The 18-year-old’s 2.43 goals against average and .912 save percentage are both top-five amongst rookie goaltenders in the SJHL this season.
Nipawin’s Tyson Endall could get the start at the other end, having also played in three games for the Hawks, posting a 3.75 goals against average and .912 save percentage.
Friday’s game from Affinity Place will be available on FloHockey and on the Bruins’ NEW YouTube Livestream. The Room By Room Furniture Pregame Show will begin at 6:45 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets for tonight’s game, click here.
FRIDAY’S TALE OF THE TAPE:
Record:
EST: 0-3-0 | NIP: 0-5-0
Goals For/Against:
EST: 5/13 | NIP 8/22
Power Play:
EST: 6.3% (10th)| NIP 4.5% (12th)
Penalty Kill:
EST: 70.6% (12th)| NIP: 75% (10th)
Leading Scorers:
EST: Rorey Elson (two goals), Elson/Owen Simmons/Jacob Hufty (two points) |NIP: Finley Radloff/Jack Janzen/six others (one goal), Radloff/Janzen/Whitter (three points)
—
Marty Martinson, Estevan Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1
