The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins continued their strong start to the season on Thursday night with a 6-3 victory over the La Ronge Ice Wolves at Affinity Place.
The Bruins peppered La Ronge goaltender Luke Lush with shots early in the first period, but it was La Ronge who scored midway through the first on a goal by Connor Smith when the Ice Wolves had a two-man advantage. Tyson Manz replied with his first Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goal with 14 seconds to play in the first period to tie the game.
Shane Hounsell scored on a heavy shot to restore the Ice Wolves advantage early in the second, and the score remained 2-1 for much of the middle frame. But Kaelan Holt and Jake Heerspink scored 24 seconds apart to give the Bruins the lead, and Zach Goberis scored a spectacular goal while the Bruins were shorthanded a few minutes later to give the Black and Gold a 4-2 lead after two.
Power play goals by Goberis and Hayden Guilderson upped the Bruins advantage to 6-2 by the midway point of the third period. Smith's second of the game for La Ronge with less than eight minutes to play rounded out the scoring.
Lutz made 48 saves, including a number of sensational stops. Maxim Sidelnik stopped 19 shots for the Bruins to get the win.
Thursday night also marked First Responders' Night at Affinity Place. Representatives of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, Estevan Police Service, Estevan RCMP and Estevan Emergency Medical Services were in attendance, and participated in a ceremonial pre-game faceoff.
The Bruins record now stands at 9-2-1, while La Ronge's record fell to 1-8-0-1.
Estevan will host the Flin Flon Bombers on Sunday night at 6 p.m. at Affinity Place.
