A strong first 40 minutes got the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins an 8-6 win over the Humboldt Broncos Nov. 17 at Affinity Place, but a weak final 20 minutes made it feel like a loss.
“In the second intermission we talked about doing things the right way through the third and it totally went the opposite way,” said Bruins assistant coach Aren Miller. “We let them right back into the game, again on home ice, and frankly it’s happening too much here. This is our barn. This is our building. Teams shouldn’t be mounting comebacks in the third period against us. It’s very disappointing the effort in the third period and the way guys played.”
The Bruins headed into the third with a 7-3 lead on goals from Lynnden Pastachak (2), Owen LaClare, Ty Barnstable, Darcy DeRoose, Levi Barnstable and Keegan Allison. The home side also led 32-15 on the shot clock in a dominating performance that saw the majority of play in the first two periods occur in the Humboldt zone.
The final frame started off slow for both teams with the Broncos slowly gaining the advantage in play before erupting for three goals in under three minutes near the end of the third to bring the score to 7-6 with less than two minutes to play and all the momentum on the Humboldt side. Despite getting out shot 18-3 in the third, an empty-net goal by Allison with 15 seconds remaining sealed the Estevan win in their final home game until a Dec. 10 date against the Kindersley Klippers.
“We definitely escaped with the win,” said Miller. “Up four goals at home going into the third it shouldn’t even be a question of whether we’re going to win or not and tonight there were questions. Things are going to have to get better, that’s for sure.”
The Bruins (13-9-0-1) will now embark on a six-game road trip starting with a match in Flin Flon against the Bombers on Thursday, a visit to the Nipawin Hawks’ nest the next night before meeting the Mustangs at Melfort on Saturday. Estevan will only play three of their next 16 games at home.
“It’s good to get these wins at home,” said Pastachak. “Going on the road it’s going to be tough playing these guys, Flin Flon and those tough teams up north. It’s going to be tough, but I think the guys have it in them to come out on top.”
Miller said these next two months do not form a make-or-break stretch for the club because of their veteran-laden roster who are used to playing on the road. He said it might actually be good for the team to get out of Affinity Place for awhile, so they can grow as a team while enjoying some road success.
“It’s going to be tough on our bodies for sure mentally and physically going on the road,” added Pastachak. “The boys have got to stick together and not get down or anything in the dressing room. As long as we come out as a group and gel together we should be alright.”
