CARLYLE - The Estevan Bruins faced the Notre Dame Hounds on Oct. 20 at the Carlyle Sports Arena for a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League game organized by the Carlyle Community Complex Foundation.
Joey Eaton contacted the coach from Notre Dame last year and asked if they would be interested in having a home game in the Carlyle Arena, and the rest is history.
Lorna Sandberg and Adam Hicks from the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation (SSCF) travelled from Regina to be part of the hockey fundraiser.
Sandberg presented a gift from SSCF executive director Donna Ziegler to the Carlyle Community Complex Foundation, along with some kind words of encouragement and gratitude.
Cam Hrdlicka, a third-year goaltender from the Bruins said, “We enjoy the atmosphere here and the fans are great.”
As several Bruins players sat in the stands, they autographed towels and t-shirts for the kids.
Jason Tatarnic, general manager and head coach of the Bruins, said the weather was a welcome change compared to last year when it was cold and stormy outside.
“We really enjoy coming to Carlyle,” said Tatarnic. “It is a great community and arena.”
Jeromy Corrigan, director of media for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, was also on hand.
“It is always great to come to these small rural communities,” he said. “There is such a hockey spirit here.”
When the Bruins came to the ice, a line of youngsters lined up for glove slaps from the players who just as eagerly gave them out.
After the teams hit the ice, Teagan Littlechief from the White Bear First Nations sang the national anthem for a nearly-packed arena.
When the puck dropped, it only took Notre Dame three minutes to get on the scoreboard with Alexander Hollands putting one past Jackson Miller.
At 12:22, Cole Wirun also found the sweet spot in the net behind Miller, making it 2-0 early in the game.
The Bruins turned up the heat with Ilia Chmelevski blasting one past Johann Tremblay-Kau. This would end the first period.
Brent McLean and former Bruin defenceman Fritz Sauter’s under-7 teams entertained the crowd with a scrimmage between periods.
In the second period, it took Cole Wirun 35 seconds to make the score 3-1 for Notre Dame and soon after Davis Sato made it 4-1.
The Bruins came back near the end of the second period with a goal by Carievale's Turner McMillen, but before the period would end, Notre Dame’s Matteo Speranzo would find the back of the Bruins' net to make it 5-2.
The third period had the Bruins fired up and three minutes into the frame, Tyler Guy sent one past Tremblay-Kau. This brought the crowd alive with some loud cheers. As the game intensified, the crowd grew louder as the Bruins had more shots on the Notre Dame goal.
At 8:06 of the third period Keagon Little scored unassisted to make it a 5-4 game.
With a faceoff in Notre Dame’s end and 1:40 remaining, the Bruins pulled their goalie. The play remained in Notre Dame’s end, but the Bruins could not pull it off. Notre Dame won the game and the Carlyle Cup.
Estevan outshot Notre Dame 38-31.
Richard Arndt of Arcola enjoys coming to the games and it thinks it is great to have the Bruins in Carlyle, as it is much closer to see a game.
Tammie Riddell, one of the complex foundation members, said she spoke with a mother from the Hounds. The team member so enjoyed playing in Carlyle last year that mom flew in from Victoria, B.C., to watch her son play.
The mom said that the energy in the arena was electric, and she was impressed with the fan and community support.
Riddell could hear the Notre Dame team cheering and hollering in their dressing room after the game.
The 50/50 at first was not claimed, but finally Sheldon Freed of Stockholm came forward to receive his prize of $1,500.
For more photos of the game, please see Observed At on Page 11.
