After upsetting the top-seeded Regina Capitals in the first round of the provincial midget AA playoffs, Estevan’s Apex Bruins’ hopeful flame flickered out in a tough follow up series.
The Bruins were the eighth and final team to make the provincial playoffs in the southern division, and after taking out the top team, their next opponent was the next best team in the Swift Current K-Motel Hurricanes.
The first game in Swift Current last week left the Bruins with quite the hill to climb, losing the opening game of the two-game, total-goals series 7-1. The Bruins would need a seven goal victory against the Hurricanes on Sunday to win outright.
That proved too much for the Bruins who lost Game 2 4-1 at Affinity Place.
The Bruins got down early, taking the first penalty of the game nearly seven minutes. Just 22 seconds into that power play, the Hurricanes found the back of the net and the lead.
Just five minutes later, the Hurricanes’ Marcus Kouri stretched the lead to 2-0, which was how the game stood heading into the second.
Less than three minutes into the second, Carter Tangen put Swift Current ahead 3-0.
The Bruins scored the first and only goal on the power play midway through the second period. Marc Shaw picked up an assist on Matt Bill’s goal.
In the third period, Kouri put it away for the Hurricanes with a shorthanded goal.
Landon Audet was in goal for the Bruins for the loss.
On Saturday, prior to the elimination game, the Bruins hosted the Melville Millionaires, and a late comeback bid by the Bruins wasn’t enough as they were downed 4-3 at home.
The Millionaires opened the scoring on Bruins goalie Cam Lavoie in the first period, with Jayden Napady put the away team on the board and McKinley Hawcutt added an insurance marker on the power play.
Josh Skjonsby got the Bruins on the board late in the second, but shortly after, Tanner Mack gave the Millionaires another two-goal lead.
Marial Beny put the Millionaires up 4-1 with 8:43 left in the third.
It was with 3:33 left in the game that the Bruins found a last breath of life in a Marc Shaw goal, assisted by Preston Brodziak and Bill.
At the same moment, Colton Gingras was called for a slashing penalty, but while the Millionaires were on the power play, Napady went off for a hit to the head. After 30 seconds of four on four play, Brady Long scored, leaving the Bruins just a goal short of tying it up with 2:29 to play.
In the final minutes of the game the Bruins couldn’t continue the comeback.
The Bruins are next in action tonight in Weyburn. They will play their next home game on Feb. 10.
