Eddie Gallagher and Tanner Manz each scored twice, and the Estevan Bruins had five unanswered goals in a 5-2 victory over the Nipawin Hawks Wednesday night at Affinity Place.
It wasn’t a good start for Estevan, as former Bruin defenceman Bronson Adams scored 13 seconds into the first period to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Burke Simpson’s goal 2:28 into the second added to Nipawin’s advantage.
But 79 seconds later, Manz scored to pull the Bruins to within one. Cody Davis’ goal midway through the second period tied the game, and then Gallagher scored what proved to be the winner before the period was finished.
Gallagher added to the Bruins lead with a goal 7:39 into the third, and Manz’s goal five minutes later rounded out the scoring.
Jayden Davis had three assists for Estevan, and Keenan Rancier stopped 25 shots in the victory.
It was a chippy game, too, as the two teams combined for 118 penalty minutes. Nipawin received 80 of those minutes.
Defenceman Max Wanner made his debut for the Bruins. The 16-year-old blue-liner has four goals and 21 points in 31 games with Moose Jaw this year.
With the win, the Bruins improved their record to 23-21-3-1. They still occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in the league’s overall standings, five points clear of the ninth place Kindersley Klippers.
Estevan will be back on the ice Saturday night when they host the Flin Flon Bombers. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
