While offensive depth has been a strong suit for the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins so far this year, on Tuesday night, it was their top line that paced them to a win.
The trio of Kaelan Holt, Matt McNeil and Lynnden Pastachak combined for five goals and 10 points in a 6-5 overtime victory over the Yorkton Terriers at Affinity Place. Holt scored twice, including the winning goal with 2:09 to play in overtime, and added an assist, while McNeil scored twice and chipped in with two assists, and Pastachak finished with a goal and two assists.
“We have pretty good offensive abilities, and Chris (head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood) knew that, too, that we’re going to be one of the more offensive lines,” said Holt, who is now tied for the league lead in goals with 12. “Tonight we battled pretty hard and we got the bounces and we ended up getting a couple goals.”
Defenceman Josh Rieger had the other goal – a tally with 27 seconds remaining in the third that forced overtime.
The Bruins led 2-1 after the first period. Holt opened the scoring with a power play goal 3:36 into the first, and after Regan Seiferling late in the frame, McNeil responded to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.
Yorkton tied the game 4:32 into the second on a goal by McKenzie Welke. Moments before Welke’s goal, Alalouf was struck in the head by a shot, and appeared to suffer a concussion. He was forced to leave the game, and was replaced by Curtis Meger, who was making his first appearance with the Bruins after being reassigned by the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League.
Just over a minute later, Colby Haugen scored to give Yorkton a 3-2 lead. Pastachak scored a few minutes later to tie the game.
The teams traded goals in the third. Jordan Ross scored to give the Terriers a 4-3 lead, but McNeil responded with his second of the game. McNeil’s goal came a few minutes after he appeared to suffer an injury while falling into the boards.
“When the guys are showing courage in the face of adversity, when something’s clearly wrong, there is a lift there,” Lewgood said of McNeil. “Just as important to that is he’s such a key member of the team, and a leader in other ways, that having him around on the bench and ultimately on the ice, in key situations, is very important.”
Welke tallied late in the third, but Rieger’s late goal deadlocked the game again.
Yorkton had the best chances to score early in overtime, but were thwarted by Meger. The Terriers were assessed a slashing penalty midway through overtime, and moments later, Holt notched the winning goal.
“We’re never giving up,” said Holt. “We’re never out of a game, no matter what the score is. We have a lot of character guys in there, and we always know we’re going to have a chance.”
Lewgood said even when they fell behind, they were confident they would tie the game.
Alalouf stopped 18 of 20 shots before suffering the injury. Meger made 12 saves in relief and was credited with the win.
“I thought Meags was pretty good for a guy that wasn’t expecting to play tonight,” said Lewgood.
Suriano made 46 saves in the loss.
In off-ice news, the Bruins have dealt defenceman Zach Sherburne to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Sherburne came to Estevan in an August trade that brought McNeil and Jason Miller from Alberta, but Lewgood said Sherburne was caught in the numbers game in Estevan.
