Bruins Lose New Years Game 6-1 In Weyburn

The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins started the 2019 year on the wrong side of a 6-1 decision to the Weyburn Red Wings on New Years Day.

The Bruins won the first two decisions against Weyburn, including a 5-3 victory two days before on December 30th. However, the Red Wings struck back for their first win in the ‘Highway 39 Rivalry’ this season.

The Bruins would open the scoring on Tuesday afternoon in bizarre fashion. Isaiah Thomas would cross the red line and dump the puck in around the glass, where the puck would deflect off the stanchion and go directly into Weyburn’s open net as goaltender Cody Levesque left the net to play the puck. Thomas’ 6th goal of the season, unassisted, gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead 7:17 into the game.

However just over a minute later, Weyburn’s Ben Hiltz evened the score at 1-1 at the 8:35 mark. The Red Wings would take a 2-1 lead into the intermission as Jordan Kazymyra beat Grant Boldt with a shot at the 14:23 mark.

Hiltz would score his second goal of the game off a turnover 6:34 into the 2nd period to make it 3-1 Weyburn. Then at 12:10, Jevon Schwean scored to make it 4-1 for the home team. The Bruins would get several high-quality chances before the end of the period to try and chip away at the deficit, but Weyburn’s goaltender would make several key saves to keep the score 4-1 heading into the 3rd period.

The Bruins would continue to push early in the 3rd period to stage a comeback, with Michael McChesney hitting the crossbar and Levesque making more huge saves. The Bruins would not be able to score another goal, and Weyburn’s Sean Olson (17:14) and Drew Anderson (19:09) would round out the scoring in a 6-1 final.

Grant Boldt (19/24) was tagged for five goals in the loss, with Olson’s goal going into the empty net. Meanwhile, Cody Levesque was easily the game’s first star as the Carnduff-born netminder stopped (45/46) in the win.

Estevan was shutout (0/6) on the powerplay while Weyburn went (1/6) on the man advantage.

The Bruins (17-19-2-1) next action is back home at Affinity Place, hosting the Viterra-division leading Yorkton Terriers at 7:00pm on Tuesday, January 8th.