The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins had a lot of 2018 playoff firsts Tuesday night on home ice for Game 4 of the Canalta Cup semifinal against the Battlefords North Stars.
First goal allowed in the first minute of the game, first lead surrendered, first goal scored by a defenceman and first goaltender pull. And now, their first losss, a 9-6 roller coaster in front of 1,924 fans at Affinity Place.
The Bruins were down 3-1 after the first and 6-4 after the second. It was after the sixth Stars goal, scored by McGregor Sinclair, that Bo Didur was removed from the game. Didur was felled after Dakota Huebner’s goal for the Stars that saw Huebner take a healthy swing at the puck in midair near Didur and into the net.
The Bruins goals were scored by Jake Fletcher, with two, Johnny Witzke, Jerzy Martin, Michael McChesney and with his first ever SJHL goal, affiliate player Jack Michell.
Didur and Matt Lukacs combined for 35 saves in the Bruins net, while the Bruins fired 38 on Taryn Kotchorek of the North Stars.
The Bruins still hold a commanding 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday night in North Battleford and Game 6, if necessary, will go Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Affinity Place.
