The Estevan Bruins have return home from a very successful road trip. The Bruins played three games in four nights. The Bruins travelled to Melfort on Wednesday to face the third place Mustangs. The Bruins defeated the Mustangs by a score of 6-5. “I thought we played very well and could have won by a few more goals if we converted on our chances early in the second period but we found ourselves down by a goal heading into the third period. Give our guys credit as they battled back and finally took the lead for good” commented head Coach Jason Tatarnic. Jack Piper suffered an injury and had to leave the game and did not return.
The Bruins travelled to Prince Albert after the game to rest up for their weekend series against the La Ronge Ice Wolves. “We were able to practice on Thursday in La Ronge which I thought was very beneficial for our players to prepare for the weekend set. We talked about how important the weekend was in terms of standings and that we had an opportunity to separate ourselves from La Ronge and gain some ground on the teams ahead of us. Our guys responded with two big wins. They played very well, and we were very happy with their effort and execution. With the three wins we sit in seventh place and are only two points behind Melville who sit in first place in the Viterra division” added Tatarnic. The Bruins play two games against the Melville Millionaires this weekend.
The Estevan Bruins added Turner McMillen, Ben Wright, Carsyn Dyck, and Tristan Dussault three weeks ago to their line-up and they are starting to gel and contribute. “All four add elements to our team and they are starting to a produce offensively for us and I knew it would just a little time for them to get comfortable” stated Tatarnic.
How comfortable are they now? Dussault has recorded 6 points in his last 5 games. Dyck has recorded 3 points in his last 3 games. Wright has recorded 3 points in his last 3 games. All three play on a line and have totalled 12 points in the last three games. Turner McMillen has recorded 5 goals and 3 assists in 8 games. The line of Little, Barrow and McMillen have recorded 21 points in 8 games.
Jason Tatarnic did confirm they have added a player to their roster this week and it will be announced on social media. Rumour has it that a former player from their championship season will return to the energy city.