The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins kicked-off the New Year over the weekend, earning a split with the division rival, Weyburn Red Wings in a heavyweight two-game series between two of the league’s top-five teams.
Saturday
The Bruins returned from the Christmas break Saturday night with a big 3-1 win over the Wings at Affinity Place.
Nathaniel Harvey led the way offensively with a pair of goals to bookend the scoring, while Dylan Adams was a rock stopping 34/35 shots on the night, and Gunner Moore notched his 1st SJHL goal.
Harvey’s first of the night opened the scoring just over a minute into the second period, following a scoreless first. Coming on an early-period power play, Harvey deposited the rebound of a Cash Olson one-timer in tight for his 8th of the year to keep the league’s 2nd-ranked power play red-hot.
Moore’s milestone tally followed, just over two minutes later, streaking in for his first in the Junior ranks on what would serve as the eventual game-winner.
“I kind of thought I was all by myself there, and I saw Harvey had a guy on him, so I just thought I’d take it in and use the dman as a screen, so I shot and it went in,” Moore recounted of the play.
Following the goal, it only took a matter of moments from the time the puck touched the back of the net for it to be scooped up by veteran Colton Getzlaff, to be saved as a memento… a gesture not lost on the young forward.
“That was awesome,” Moore said cracking a smile. “It’s a big team sport, so for those guys to be so happy for me, it definitely means a lot to me.”
The win improved the Bruins’ record to 18-11-3 on the season, giving the team a chance to move to within a point of the Red Wings for tops in the division and second overall if they could complete the weekend sweep, Sunday.
Sunday
Despite a tremendous 40-save performance by Nathan Kam in the rematch Sunday afternoon, the Wings would respond with their own 3-1 win as the scene shifted to Weyburn.
This time, Wings’ forward Callas Pierce led the way with a pair of his own to lead his team to victory.
A 1-0 Weyburn lead at the end of the first, and 2-1 advantage through two, Pierce’s first of the night came off a quick shot in tight, with his third period tally serving as the empty-netter to secure the win.
Getzlaff scored the lone Bruins’ goal of the night, driving the back post to deflect a pin-point pass by Moore midway through the middle frame for his ninth of the year.
Coming off the weekend split, the Bruins sit 2nd in the Bunge Division and fourth overall in the league standings with an 18-11-3 record through 32 games. With 39 points, the team sits just two back of third-place Nipawin, and one up on fifth-place Battlefords.
The Bruins will now get the better part of a week to rest up and prepare for their return to action next weekend when they host the Warman Wolverines for a back-to-back at Affinity Place Friday and Saturday night, Jan. 9th and 10th.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS
Both games will begin at 7 p.m. and will be available on FloHockey and for free on the Bruins’ YouTube Livestream. Pregame will begin both nights at 6:45 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO TUNE-IN TO THE BRUINS YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM
—
Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
