Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Bruins Split Final Two Games Of Road Trip

ESTEVAN DEFEATED KINDERSLEY 4-2 ON THURSDAY BEFORE LOSING 6-1 TO BATTLEFORDS ON FRIDAY.

 

The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins spent five days away from home, playing four games on their first extended road trip of the 2018/19 season.

After dropping their two games at the SJHL Showcase, the Bruins’ closed off the trip with a split on Thursday and Friday night in northwest Saskatchewan.

First up was a rematch against the Kindersley Klippers, who beat the Bruins 4-2 on Monday night. Thursday’s game would end by the same score, but this time with the Bruins ending up on top.

Kindersley jumped out to a 2-0 lead after scoring two powerplay goals in the opening period on Jake Anthony and the Bruins’ penalty kill.

However, a hungry Bruins’ squad responded strongly against some adversity in the early going by tying up the game in the 2nd period. Michael McChesney would score his 5th goal of the year to cut the deficit to 2-1. Just minutes later, his linemate TJ Irey continued his hot start to the season with his 4th goal of the year to make it 2-2 after two periods.

The Bruins would get their first lead of the game just 1:45 into the 3rd period. McChesney would perfectly execute a cheeky move off the offensive-zone faceoff, winning the puck forward to himself and then flicking a quick backhand into the Kindersley net to make it 3-2 with his second of the game. Estevan held that lead until the final five minutes, when rookie defenceman Jack Michell shot five-hole for his second goal of the season to put the Bruins up 4-2. Anthony would shut the door the rest of the way as the Bruins improved to 4-2 on the season with the win.

Friday night would see the Bruins take on the Battlefords North Stars for the first time this season after Estevan eliminated Battlefords in five games during last year’s semi-final round.

This night however would belong to the North Stars, who took the lead in the 2nd period and never let the Bruins back in the game.

After a scoreless opening frame, Battlefords would score three goals in the 2nd period to take a commanding 3-0 lead into the final frame.

Tanner Manz would score his first goal of the season, from brother Tyson and Kolton Leslie to get the Bruins to within two with 10 minutes to play. But the North Stars got that goal back just minutes later, and added two more later in the period to make the final score 6-1. Jake Anthony would make 36 saves in a losing effort for Estevan in goal.

The Bruins have one more road game before they return to Affinity Place. Estevan (4-3) travels to play the Notre Dame Hounds (2-6) in Wilcox on Wednesday, Oct. 3rd at 8:00pm. The Bruins will then begin a six-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. 6th when they host the Humboldt Broncos at 7:30pm.

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