Estevan Bruins earn a split in games in Nipawin

NIPAWIN - The Estevan Bruins managed a split in their back-to-back road games with the Nipawin Hawks.

The Hawks scored three times in the opening four minutes of the third period to double up the Bruins 6-3 on Wednesday night. 

Nipawin led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Maguire Ratzlaff. Bruins' defenceman Aleksa Babic scored 16 seconds into the second period to tie the game, and then Cody Davis scored to give the Bruins the lead.

Bryden Kiesman tied the game with 6:16 to play in the middle frame, but 81 seconds later, Babic notched his second of the contest to restore the Bruins' advantage.

Bruin goaltender Cam Hrdlicka left the game with 2:44 to play in the second period, and was replaced by Jackson Miller. Kiesman notched his second of the game with 13 seconds to play in the middle frame, and then added his third 96 seconds into the final period.

Joel Mabin and Francois-Xavier Bedard scored 25 seconds apart early in the third to round out the scoring.

Hrdlicka made 14 saves on 16 shots, and Miller had 14 saves on 18 shots for Estevan. Nolan McDowell stopped 23 of 26 shots for Nipawin. 

Estevan won 4-1 the night before.

Estevan's next game is Friday night in Weyburn, starting at 7:30 p.m. Nipawin, meanwhile, will play the Yorkton Terriers Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. as part of the annual SJHL Showcase in Warman.