Late goal lifts Estevan Bruins to win over Melfort

Written by: SaskToday.ca

A game between the Estevan Bruins and the Melfort Mustangs seems to be a guarantee for entertainment.

The two teams combined for six goals in the third period in the Bruins’ 4-3 victory over the host Mustangs Wednesday night.

It was the Bruins’ second win over Melfort in a five-day span, and it gave the Bruins a sweep of their two-game road trip in northeast Saskatchewan.

Melfort had the only goal in the opening 40 minutes, as Ben Tkachuk scored 11:05 into the first period.

The Bruins’ Mark Rumsey ignited the offence in the third period with a power play goal 1:53 into the frame. Less than 2 1/2 minutes later, Zach Burfoot scored to lift the Bruins into the lead for the first time.

It would be short-lived, as Trenton Curtis scored less than three minutes later to tie the game again.

Caelan Fitzpatrick scored four minutes later to put the Bruins ahead, but then Curtis tied the game again.

It remained a 3-3 game until Rumsey notched his second of the game with 83 seconds remaining on a power play.

Cam Hrdlicka, making his second start in as many nights, stopped 31 shots for the Bruins.

The two previous games between the Bruins and the Mustangs were decided by 5-4 scores, with Melfort winning in October and the Bruins winning in a shootout on Saturday. Both games were played in Estevan.

The Bruins’ (20-5-1-1) next game will be Saturday night when they host the Yorkton Terriers. Game time is 7:30 p.m.