The Estevan Power Dodge Bruins noticed something seemed a bit off with Melville Millionaires goalie Colby Entz’s game early into last Wednesday’s 3-0 win at the Horizon Credit Union Centre.
“We wanted to test him right away and we thought that he was struggling to control the puck,” said Bruins defenceman Johnny Witzke. “We just tried throwing everything we had at him and a few of the goals that we had were rebounds, so it worked.”
After a scoreless first period, Bruins left wing Jake Fletcher got the road team on the board 1:50 into the middle frame ending Entz’s shutout streak at 172 minutes. Bruins captain Lynnden Pastachak scored his 20th of the season just over eight minutes later to give the Black and Gold a 2-0 lead with Jayden Davis potting his fourth of the year at the 19:21 mark.
“We came out flying in the second period,” said Bruins goaltender Curtis Meger, who captured SJHL goalie of the week honours for his efforts. “We were very fortunate to bury the chances that we did have and I thought we got on the forecheck really well and that really set the tone for the entire period. Even though we were on the PK (penalty kill) for a little bit we killed those off pretty well and then we bounced back and got a couple of goals.”
Meger stopped 36 shots, including 28 in the final 40 minutes, for his second shutout of the season. The rookie netminder noted a few of those opportunities were quality scoring chances considering a couple of two-on-ones, a breakaway and a four-on-three were part of that group.
“They had a lot of good looks, but we kept them to the outside and blocked a lot of shots,” he said. “I know the guys in the dressing room take a lot of pride in doing that, so I’m very thankful and the shots that did come my way I was able to see and I was fortunate to stop them.”
The Bruins entered an eight-day break after the Millionaires (16-21-2) contest with their next game scheduled for Jan. 20 at Affinity Place against the Humboldt Broncos (23-16-0-1). The return to action will start a six-game home stand for the Black and Gold, which currently sits third in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and first in the Viterra Division with a record of 26-13-0-1.
“That’s really important to our team,” said Witzke. “With how far up we are in the standings right now we need to get as many wins as possible and hopefully try to get that division clinched.”
