In a game for the ages the Estevan Bruins were defeated by the Battlefords Northstars 7-6 in the 9th round of the shootout.
The Bruins got off to a strong first period, with the Bruins northern connection scoring for Estevan. Matthew Dochylo (Christopher Lake) opened the scoring 38 seconds into the first period to give the Bruins an early edge. Dylan Smith (Big River) added to the Bruins lead with his 35th of the season and Calder Neufeld (Carrot River) capped off the scoring with a power play goal in the final minute giving the Bruins a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
The Northstars came back in the second period with a pair of goals with Kyle Hall scoring a shorthanded goal to make it 3-1 and then Blake Tatchell scored his first of the night to cut the lead to 3-2. But before the period came to an end Neufeld scored his second powerplay goal of the night and his fourth powerplay goal of the road trip to give the Bruins a 4-2 edge after two periods of play.
In the third period, the Northstars took advantage of an early powerplay as Tatchell scored his second of the night to make it a one goal game once again. Minutes later, Cole Olson sniped his 15th of the season and the Bruins once again had a two goal lead. The Northstars cut the lead to a one goal margin as Robbie Newton scored for Battlefords on a loose rebound making it a 5-4 score.
Lady luck gave the Bruins a break as Dochylo shot the puck from the red line and some how went past the Northstar's Connor Creech and the Bruins lead 6-4 with 7:20 remaining. That was just enough time for Battlefords to come back as Tatchell scored his 40th goal of the season with 3:15 remaining to narrow the gap at 6-5.
With the goalie pulled, the Northstars managed to get a loose puck in front of Glass and with four seconds left Braden Johnson scored for Battlefords to send the 1,550 fans into a frenzy as the Northstars tied the game and send it to overtime.
Overtime settled nothing sending the game into a shootout. Neufeld scored for the Bruins to give Estevan the edge. But Tatchell scored for Battlefords to tie it up in the shootout. Austin Yano had the best chance for the Bruins to end it as it appeared he had Creech beat on the stick side with a deke but at the last second Creech reached back and stopped Yano's shot with a stick save.
The shootout lasted until the 9th round as Brody Luhning beat Steven Glass to give the Northstars the lead in the shootout. Tyler Paslawski had a chance to tie it up but was shut down by Creech and the Northstars prevailed 7-6.
Even though the Bruins only walked away with one point last night's game was one of the best efforts from the Bruins this season. Dochylo and Neufeld have each scored four goals during this road trip. Dochylo (now with 10 goals this season) along with Jelinski and Paslawski continue to do a solid job for the Bruins 5 on 5 and have provided the Bruins with solid starts in every period. Tyler Kauk ended up with 4 assists and Steven Glass made 31 saves with 7 more in the shootout.
The Bruins will be looking to end the road trip with 5 points as they face the Klippers for the second time in three nights tonight. You can catch the game on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 7:20.
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