The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins return to action Wednesday night in Melfort to kick off another three-games in four-days road swing, with their first stop coming against the defending champion, Mustangs.
A Look at the Numbers
The Bruins enter play fourth in the Viterra Division and 10th overall in the SJHL standings with a 5-7-2 record through 14 games. Coming off a weekend split with a win over Melville (5-3) followed by a loss in Weyburn (3-0), the team will be looking to bounce back quickly to open the trip.
The Mustangs enter play first in the Sherwood Division and third overall in the league standings with an 11-4-0 record through 15 games. Coming off a 6-2 loss to Flin Flon last Friday, the Mustangs have still won seven of their last 10 heading into play.
Players to watch
With top-line center Kent Moors, and winger Cody Polumbus already set to miss their second game each out due to injury, the Bruins will also be without leading goal-scorer Luke Hogan for the next few weeks with a lower-body injury.
With the absences, the Bruins will lean on players like Ewan Rennie and Reed Gramlich to fill the void.
Rennie has 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 14 games, while Gramlich scored the game-winner against Melville Friday, again showing signs of his game-breaking ability.
Melfort is led offensively by the duo of Reilley Kotai and Logan Belton. Both top-10 scorers in the league, Belton’s 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 15 games lead the team, followed by Kotai’s 19 (eight goals, 11 assists) in 14 games.
Lineup notes
The Bruins will also receive reinforcements up front from Cole Robertson, as the highly sought after winger will make his debut donning the ‘Spoked-B’, Wednesday.
In addition to Moors, Polumbus and Hogan being out due to injury, Chase Holt will also serve the first game of his three-game suspension for a staged fight late in the third period in Weyburn.
Goaltending
Following the departure of Kyle Kelsey to Victoria of the BCHL, first-year netminder, Ben Polhill will assume the starter’s role in the Bruins’ crease. In six games this season Polhill has posted a 3.63 goals against average and .879 save percentage.
Melfort is likely to tap Madden Mulawka, who has started each of the first two games of the season series. Mulawka has won four of his first six starts with a 2.53 goals against average and .898 save percentage.
Wednesday’s game will be available on FloHockey and on the Official Bruins’ YouTube Livestream. The Room By Room Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.
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Marty Martinson/Estevan Bruins PxP & Marketing Director
On X: @MartyMartyPxP1
