The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins dropped their final two games of the regular season to the Melville Millionaires and landed in the 10th seed in the standings.
They have a date with the Battlefords North Stars in the playoffs in a best-of-five survivor series which begin in North Battleford on March 6.
The Bruins had a golden opportunity to win the division over the weekend but ended up filling that last spot in the playoffs. The Millionaires earned the Viterra Division’s top spot.
In the first game against Melville on Feb. 27, fans came out to support the Bruins at Affinity Place. The 3-0 loss didn’t come without a fight as Tyler Fuhr gave the team outstanding goaltending making 29 saves on 32 shots. The game remained scoreless for two periods.
“They got a break on one of our mistakes early in the third, and then after that we were trying to chase the game, and they were able to capitalize on the power play goal and scored an empty netter,” said head coach Chris Lewgood.
The opening period was the Bruins best of the game as they were able to duplicate the intensity of the Mils, matching them shot by. The teams both had eight by the end of the period.
The second period was where the game started to go in Melville’s favour, and they outshot the Bruins 14-9 and controlled the pace of the game. But the Bruins hung in tuff as the game remained scoreless after 40 minutes.
In the third, Estevan had plenty of time to tie as Melville score four minutes into the period. Two late goals for the Millionaires ruined any chance of a Bruins comeback attempt.
In the period, Lewgood noticed some missed assignments that led to the late goals
“I thought we played hard, we just need to make sure we play a complete effort and do a better job of consistency,” Lewgood said.
With the La Ronge Ice Wolves defeating the Flin Flon Bombers the same night it put a lot of pressure on the Bruins for the second game of the home-and-home as the Bruins needed a win or a La Ronge loss to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the latest game on Sunday, despite having a 3-1 lead in the second period the Bruins fell 5-3.
Despite the loss, the Bruins were able to score on their chances.
“We were able to get bounces to go our way and put the puck in the net,” Lewgood said.
Kurt Sonne scored to put the Bruins up 1-0 in the first on a power play goal. Jason Duret and Taylor Ross contributed with assists on the play.
A few minutes later the Bruins capitalized on the power play again when Zach Douglas lit the lamp to make it 2-0. Keegan Allison and Duret had the helpers.
In the second, the Mils scored seven-and-a-half minutes into the period to pull within one, but Estevan regained the two goal lead 58 seconds later when Duret scored his second of the game. Brother Ryan Duret had the assist on the play.
After that the game turned in Melville’s favour as they added a goal late in the period and three straight in the third.
“As the game went on there, they kind of mounted a comeback, and I think our guys kind of tightened up a little bit and as a result, let them back in the game and squandered our lead,” Lewgood said.
For the upcoming series against Battlefords, Lewgood said his team has to remain focused througout each game.
“We got to make sure we play 60 minutes and worry less about what the scoreboard is and just focus on our game plan and focus on our roles,” he said.
Also he would like to see his team stick to the game plan they have practiced for the North Stars.
“Whatever it may be, we have to stick to it the entering game instead of steering away at any point throughout the night.”
Estevan will be at home on March 9 for Game 3. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Also competing in the survivor series are the Humboldt Broncos and the Weyburn Redwings, as the Broncos have home ice advantage.
