The Estevan Westmoreland Coal peewee AA Bruins made a statement to the rest of the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League (SSMHL) with a 4-2 win over the top-seeded Swift Current Southwest Terminal Broncos at Affinity Place on Saturday.
“Just because they were 13-0 doesn’t mean that we’re any less better than them,” said Bruins right wing Mason Fichter. “We’re up there with them and the big bad Bruins are coming on a winning streak.”
The Bruins (8-4-1 and the second-place team in the SSMHL) came out of the gate strong against the Broncos with Fichter gaining the first good chance about five minutes in on a break down the wing where the speedy forward hit the net with a backhand that Swift Current goalie Rylan Hildebrand got his pad on. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the rest of the evenly-played opening period with Broncos top scorer Kalan Lind earning the best opportunity at the 12-minute mark on a cannon from the slot that Bruins netminder Jackson Miller gloved down.
Swift Current buzzed the Estevan net during the first few minutes of the second period, but it was Bruins left wing Colby Cuddington who found mesh first with a one-timer from the hashmarks that beat Hildebrand five hole. The Broncos increased the pressure following the goal hemming the Bruins in their own zone and peppering Miller’s net before Rylan Williams banged in an Orin Olson rebound at the 16:16 mark to tie the contest. Fichter got the goal back 30 seconds later on a drive to the net from the corner before backhanding the puck in short side.
“That seemed like the turn on to make our gear go into high speed,” said Miller. “We’re pretty even, but I think it’s pretty clear we’re the better team.”
The Bruins carried the momentum they gained from the goal into the third period with Fichter earning a chance early on through a one-timer from the slot. Kaden Chrest made it 3-1 shortly thereafter with an in-and-out move on a Broncos defender before jamming the puck past Hildebrand.
Lind brought the Broncos back to within one seven minutes into the period on a short-handed drive to the net where he roofed the puck top corner on Miller from the top of the crease. Both teams pressed hard through the remainder of the third period with Fichter scoring the insurance marker with 1:54 left to play.
“I just went to the net hard with my stick down on the ice,” said Fichter. “Fortunately my teammates got me the puck and I put it in.”
The Broncos stepped up the attack following the score continually driving to the Bruins net and firing everything on goal. Lind and Broncos captain Jaydon Jessiman each had quality chances to make the score closer, but Miller stood tall stopping any shots that came his way.
“We just played good defensively,” said Miller. “We played our game and just played Bruins hockey.”
