The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins are on the brink of losing their SJHL quarter-final series with the Nipawin Hawks.
Garrett Dunlop scored his second of the game on a power play at the 6:47 mark of the third period to lift the Hawks to a 5-4 victory over the Bruins on Wednesday night at Affinity Place in Estevan.
The Hawks now hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, and knock the Bruins out of the playoffs with a win Friday night in Nipawin.
Owen LaClare opened the scoring for Estevan on a power play 9:26 into the first period. But Dunlop tied the game 61 seconds later, and then Keegan Kjargaard, on a power play, and Grant Baetsen tallied 61 seconds apart to give the Hawks a 3-1 advantage with just over six minutes to play in the first period.
Zach Douglas scored on a power play with 2:48 to play in the first period to leave the Bruins down 3-2 after the first period.
Keegan Allison tied the game midway through the second period, but a goal by Blake Fournier with 74 seconds remaining in the middle frame gave the Hawks a 4-3 lead after two periods.
LaClare scored his second of the game six minutes into the third to tie the game again, but Dunlop scored what proved to be the winner 47 seconds later. The Bruins had chances to tie in the final 13 minutes, but couldn't convert.
Kristian Stead made 34 saves to get the win for the Hawks. Daniel Wapple made 19 saves for the Bruins.
