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Team Black takes Gerry Aspen Cup in 5-4 thriller

by Marketing
Gerry Aspen presents the Cup named in his honour to Rorey Elson of Team Black following Sunday's game. (Photo Credit: Marty Martinson)
Gerry Aspen presents the Cup named in his honour to Rorey Elson of Team Black following Sunday's game. (Photo Credit: Marty Martinson)

It was a down-to-the-wire finish at the Bruins’ Top 40 Game Sunday, with Team Black taking home a 5-4 regulation win over Team Gold to close out 2025-26 Training Camp.

Forwards Reid Bechard (2G, 1A) and Carter Hirsch (2G) led the way for the victors, potting a pair of goals apiece, in a high-event back-and-forth contest that saw Team Yellow edge the shots 44-38 on the day.

Hirsch’s first of the game opened the scoring in the first period off a set-up by Griffin Horne to give Black the early lead. However, as was seemingly the case all day, Yellow was right there with their pressure soon after resulting in the 1-1 tying marker, scored by Cash Olson off a beautiful pass by Ewan Rennie.

In the second, after 2025 Bruins draft selection Orsen Poll made it 2-1 Yellow, things really took off when a battle in the Team Yellow zone resulted in a scrap between winger Colton Getzlaff (Black) and defenceman Owen Boswell (Yellow). Dropping the gloves, the pair got the blood pumping on both benches to bring the energy in the building to new heights.

“It was a bit of a slow first [period], but in the second period, Getzy had a good fight and that really got the boys going,” Bechard said following the win. “We put in a few after that fight, and that’s how it went […] A couple penalties at the end costed us the last couple of goals, but the boys batted back and kept the lead for us and Jake [Torget] played really good.”

Following the fight, Black took off, with Hirsch’s second of the game re-knotting the score, followed by a pair by Bechard and a laser from the blue line by defenceman Daniel Tverdovsky.

The flurry brought the score to 5-2 at the end of 40 minutes.

In the third, Holt scored to get Yellow back within a pair in the opening minutes, followed by a late tally on the power play. Though ultimately that was as close as Yellow would come, with Black holding the fort for a 5-4 win.

Hirsch said following the game, it was a special experience to be able to suit up for his childhood team and contribute.

“Being from Estevan it means a lot to be able to come out here and play in this Top 40 Game, and getting to meet some new guys is always exciting,” Hirsch said. “It’s always nice getting this kind of camp experience and especially being from town, it’s nice to be able to come to camp for the main team in town.”

Following the game, the real highlight of the day came with Gerry Aspen himself, coming onto the ice to present Team Black with the Trophy named in his honour, and address the whole team.

“It was really great to see a legend like that man, he did so much for the Estevan Bruins and it was nice to see him,” Bechard said.

“It meant a lot to have him out here, and especially with this nice facility we have here; he was a big part of getting that [locker] room all done up nice and it was nice to meet him,” Hirsch added.

The Bruins will now shift their focus to the preseason, which begins this week. The team will open their exhibition schedule with a home-and-home with Weyburn Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 9 and 10), followed by another home-and-home versus Virden Friday and Saturday (Sept. 12 and 13)

The two home preseason games will be Wednesday, Sept. 10 and Friday, Sept. 12 at Affinity Place. Both games will be pay-at-the-door.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL PRESEASON SCHEDULE

The Bruins will open their regular season Sept. 19 in Melville, with the home opener the following night, Saturday, Sept. 20.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

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Marty Martinson/Bruins PxP & Marketing Director

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1