Bruins End Reg. Seson With OT Win

Some dramatics in the final regular season game for the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins as they defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 4-3 in overtime.

Dylan Smith took the puck from behind the net and walked out front and outwaited Hounds Goalie Ty Reichenbach and buried a backhand shot to give the Bruins the walkoff victory.

It was a strong game for Tyler Ross who made 32 saves and it appeared he had the game locked up in regulation. With 11 seconds remaining in the third period it looked like Ross had the puck covered up but the Referees let the play continue and the Hounds Brandon Millin hammered the puck in the net. Ross went 1-1 in his two starts before the postseason and should provide the Bruins a quality backup behind Curtis Martinu.

Wyatt Garagan scored his second goal in the last three games while Leighton McLachlan scored in the second straight game as he once again played forward.

Hudson Morrison was the only Bruin to record 20 goals on the season as he finished off his first year campaign with the Bruins with 21 goals.

The Bruins will now move on to the Survivor Series with the Kindersley Klippers. Game 1 is Saturday night and can be heard on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 7:15.

Bruins Head Coach Keith Cassidy comments on last night's victory

Sherwood Conference Survivor Series Dates

Bruin Fans can start marking some playoff dates dates on the calender.

The dates has been announced for the Sherwood Conference with the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins and Kindersley Klippers.

The series will open on Saturday (Mar.2) in Kindersley at 7:30 followed by Game 2 on Sunday (Mar.3) in Kindersley at 6:00.

The series will move back to Estevan next Tuesday (Mar 5) for Game 3 at 7:30 and then if necessary Game 4 is Wednesday (Mar.6)  at Estevan at 7:30. Then the series will move to Kindersley for Game 5 if necesscary on Thursday (Mar.7) at 7:30.

CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com will have all the games on air proceeded by a 15 minute pregame show.

The Bruins wrap up the regular season on home ice tomorrow against Notre Dame at Spectra Place  you can catch the game on CJ1280 beginning at 7:20.

Bruin Alumni Update: Ryan Ostertag

I had a chance to speak with former Estevan Bruin, Ryan Ostertag before last night's game. Ostertag played his final game in Junior  last night and scored his 25th goal on the season as he ripped a shot top shelf past the Bruins Tyler Ross in the first period.

Ostertag spent his rookie season with the Bruins in 2010-11 and was with the team for a couple of months last season before being dealt to Nipawin. Early this season Ostertag was dealt to Weyburn and thrived his role as a leader for the Red Wings.

Best of luck to Oscar and I'm sure sometime this summer we'll have an interview with him as we find out where he's playing hockey next season.

Bruins Finish 5th After Loss to Weyburn

It was a tough night for the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins as they were defeated by the Weyburn Red Wings 4-3. The combination of the Bruins loss and Kindersley win means the Bruins will open the Survivor Series on the road in Kindersley.

The Bruins gave the start to Tyler Ross who returned the team after spending some time in the USHL and QMJHL this year. The Red Wings opened up the scoring with Josh Lees scoring for the Red Wings to make it 1-0. The Bruins would tie it up shortly afterwards as Leighton McLachlan finished off a 2 on 1 with Tyler Paslawski to even up the score at 1-1. But the Red Wings would regain the lead as former Ryan Ostertag buried his 25th goal of the season as he ripped a shot top shelf past Ross to give the Red Wings the lead in the first intermission.

In the second period the Bruins were unable to get one past Nate Ferris as the Bruins had several chances but Ferris shut the doors at every opportunity. Ferris was able to deny Dylan Smith on a breakaway along with the other Bruins shooters. McLachlan has the best opportunity in the period but rang a shot off the post. Adam Rosselin scored the only goal for the Red Wings in the period to make it 3-1.

Weyburn opened the scoring in the final period as Thomas Carelton early in the period to make it 4-1. The Bruins generated more chances but were still struggling against Ferris.Tanner Froese would score his 13th goal of the season and that was followed by Cole Olson deflecting Zach Douglas shot to make it 4-3 Weyburn. Smith had a great chance to tie it at 4-4 but Smith's shot was deflected and missed by inches. The Red Wings would hang for a win in their final game of the season.

The Bruins will wrap up the season on Tuesday against Notre Dame before they begin the Survivor Series sometime next weekend, likely on Saturday.

You can catch the Bruins game against the Hounds on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 7:20.

Bruins Head Coach Keith Cassidy comments on the game.

Bruins vs Red Wings Preview

The Estevan Bruins won the first half of the home and home set with the Red Wings last night with a come from behind 3-2 win.

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Estevan Bruins- A win by the Bruins would assure them that they won't be eliminated from 4th spot in the Sherwood Conference. A Bruins win and a Kindersley would allow the Bruins to be in the drivers seat on Tuesday. But a Bruins loss and Kindersley win means the Klippers will host Game 1 of the Survivor Series next week.

Weyburn Red Wings- Tonight is the final game of the season for the Red Wings and they will try and spoil the Bruins plans on getting home ice advantage in the Survivor Series. A win by the Red Wings would also mean a split in the season series between the two teams.

Keep An Eye Out For

Estevan Bruins- Tyler Paslawski-Darcy DeRoose- Brett Dumaine. This line had a heck of a game last night. First with Paslawski scoring the game winner and then in the final minute of the game they were able to keep the puck away from the Red Wings as they attempted for the tie. If this is the Bruins "4th" line then teams will struggle with the Bruins depth in the postseason.

Weyburn Red Wings- Ryan Ostertag-Miguel Pereria. The two 20 year olds were the two best Red Wings last night and will be playing their last game in Junior Hockey. If there's any Red Wing that's going to leave it on the line tonight for Weyburn, it will be these two.

Special Stats

Estevan Bruins-

PP-13% (12th)
PK-82.7 (7th)

Weyburn Red Wings
PP- 15.1% (9th)
PK- 78.3 (10th)

Intermission Guests-

In the 2nd intermission we will hear from former Estevan Bruin and now current Weyburn Red Wing Ryan Ostertag who is playing in his final Junior A game tonight.

Bruins Move Within 1 Point of 4th With 3-2 Win Over Weyburn

The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins moved within one point of 4th spot in the Sherwood Conference after a 3-2 victory over the Weyburn Red Wings.

The Bruins applied plenty of pressure in the first period but it was the Red Wings scoring on the powerplay as Ty McLean notched his 9th goal of the season and left the Bruins were trailing 1-0 after the first period.

In the second the Red Wings opened the scoring as Miguel Pereria and Ryan Ostertag emerged on a 2 on 1 and it ended with with Ostertag scoring his 24th goal of the season to make it 2-0. The Bruins would respond as Nick Egan found Wyatt Garagan in behind the defence as Garagan buried his 6th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Bruins tied the game on the powerplay as Dylan Smith deflected Tyler Kauk's pass and made it 2-2 after two periods.

The third period saw the line of Tyler Paslawski- Brett Dumaine- Darcy DeRoose. Early in the third period Paslawski carried the puck from the corner and buried a back hand shot to give the Bruins their first lead of the night. Then with 1:10 remaining in the third period with a faceoff inside the Red Wings zone, the line was able to control the play inside of the Red Wing zone for the next minute and only allowing the Red Wings about 10 seconds with an extra attacker on the ice. Weyburn was unable to score giving the Bruins the victory.

Curtis Martinu made 22 saves for the win. With the win the Bruins are one point behind Kindersley for home ice in the Survivor Series. If the Bruins win tonight and Kindersley loses the Bruins move into fourth spot, if the Bruins lose and the Klippers win then Kindersley clinches 4th place. If the Bruins and Klippers both win, Kindersley is still in 4th place but won't clinch.

The Bruins are back in action tonight when they meet the Red Wings in Weyburn. You can catch the game on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 7:20.

Estevan Bruins vs Weyburn Red Wings

The Estevan Bruins and Weyburn Red Wings will meet for the final two times this season with a weekend  home and home set. The Bruins and Red Wings have each swept a home and home set this season with the Bruins taking the first two games of the season series on the Thanksgiving Weekend while the Red Wings took both games during the home and home set on Dec.30 and Jan.1.

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Estevan Bruins- In their last game on Sunday, the Bruins clinched a playoff spot with a convincing 6-3 win over Kindersley. The Bruins will look to secure home ice during the Survivor Series against the Klippers. The Bruins are down by three points with a game in hand. Kindersley has the night off before returning to action tomorrow night against Nipawin.

Weyburn Red Wings- It's been a tough season for Weyburn and their playoff hopes officially came to an end on Sunday with the Bruins victory over Kindersley. This is the first time the Red Wings have missed the playoffs since 1999.

Keep An Eye Out For

Estevan Bruins- Alex Cote. A lot of the attention in the second half for the Bruins has gone to Dylan Smith, but Alex Cote has been a valuable pick up from the Summerside Capitals. Cote has provided much needed scoring on the second line but being a playmaker. He's playing on a line with Calder Neufeld and Hudson Morrison right now and the trio have the potential to be very explosive on any given night.

Weyburn Red Wings- Ryan Ostertag.  While the Red Wings have struggled this season, Ostertag has thrived in a situation where's he has been counted on to be one of the leaders for Weyburn. There's no doubt the 20 year old will try and finish his Junior Career but causing some problems for his first junior team.

Special Stats

Estevan Bruins-
PP 12.7% (12th)
PK 83% (6th)

Weyburn Red Wings
PP 14.8% (8th)
PK 78.5% (10th)

Intermission Guests

When it comes to player interviews I have only two players left to interview and that is Nick Egan and Travis Pelletier so we will hear those two players this weekend.

In the 2nd intermission we will hear from one of the men who's going into the SJHL Hall of Fame next week in former Estevan Bruins Executive Ray Frehlick.

Locker Talk Preview with Bruins Tanner Froese and Matt Brykaliuk

This week the Bruins Tanner Froese and Matt Brykaliuk join me on this week's edition of Locker Talk as we look ahead to the final week of the regular season and the upcoming Survivor Series against the Kindersley Klippers.

Here's a bonus segment as we talk about some of the latest happenings in the NHL.

Bruins Back In Playoffs With 6-3 over Kindersley

The CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins are heading back to the postseason after a 6-3 victory over the Kindersley Klippers last night at Spectra Place.

The Bruins had an explosive start as they controlled the play in the first period. The Bruins opened up the scoring 1:22 into the first period as the Bruins scored on their first shot of the powerplay as Tyler Kauk's shot was deflected and went into the net to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The Bruins would continue to add to their lead as Matt Brykaliuk was left all alone and buried a backhand through the five hole of the Klippers Tyrell King to make it 2-0. On the Bruins second powerplay opportunity Connor Milligan ripped a lazer shot from the point and found the back of the net for his first of the season which made it 3-0 and also meant the end of the evening for King and Warren Shymko went in net.

The Bruins would cap off the first period as Wyatt Garagan scored his 5th goal of the season to make it 4-0.

The Bruins had a strong start to the 2nd period as Alex Cote scored on a loose rebound in front of the net in the opening minutes of the 2nd period. The Klippers would finally get on the scoreboard late in the 2nd period as Kyle Davies was awarded a penalty shot and he scored on the backhand to make the score 5-1 after two periods.

In the third period, Cote would score his 2nd goal of the game as he created a turnover deep inside of the Klippers end and made it 6-1. Kindersley would add a couple of late goals as the game got a little bit ugly at the end with the Bruins falling into penalty trouble but they still hung on for the victory.

The Bruins will meet the Klippers in the Survivor Series with home ice still to be determined. The Bruins trail the Klippers by three points with a game in hand.

Next action for the Bruins is Friday when they host the Weyburn Red Wings in a home and home set. You can catch the game on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 7:20.

Bruins Head Coach Keith Cassidy comments after the win.

Bruins vs Klippers Preview

Unless the Estevan Bruins lose their remaining four games and the Weyburn Red Wings win their remaining four games, this will be the Sherwood Conference Survivor Series that will start on the first weekend of March. With playoff implications on the line tonight, there's no doubt tonight will have a playoff atmosphere to it.

Latest News

Estevan Bruins- The Bruins were unable to clinch a playoff spot on Friday night against the Humboldt Broncos. The Bruins played the Broncos tough, but a couple of defensive mistakes inside of their own zone lead to the Bruins undoing. The Bruins still have a chance to catch the Klippers for 4th spot, but a loss tonight and the best they can do is 5th.

Kindersley Klippers- The Klippers wrap up their three game road swing in Estevan today. They started off with a shootout win in Notre Dame followed by a loss to Weyburn last night. The Klippers lead the Bruins by 5 points for 4th spot. After tonight the Klippers host Nipawin and then visit Humboldt on the last day of the season.

Keep an Eye Out For

Estevan Bruins- Dylan Smith. I think there's a valid argument that Smith has been the top player in the SJHL since his return at the Jan. 10 deadline. He's been Player of the Week twice and on Friday he took control with a pair of goals against Humboldt. The Bruins powerplay was looking sharp with Smith playing with Olson and Neufeld up front and this is just pure speculation on my part, I have a feeling we will be seeing the three together on 5 on 5 sometime in the near future.

Kindersley Klippers- Austin Yano. Today is the first time Yano will be playing as a visitor in Spectra Place. The former Bruin was the best player on the ice in the Klippers win on Feb. 9 which lead him to winning SJHL Defenceman of the Week and I'm sure he has plenty of motivation to repeat that performance in front of the Bruins faithful.

Special Stats

Estevan Bruins
PP- 11.9% (12th overall)
PK- 82.9% (7th overall)

Kindersley Klippers

PP 13.9% (10th overall)
PK 77.0% (11th overall)


You can tune into tonight's game on CJ1280 and discoverestevan.com beginning at 5:50. Tonight's Bruins Alumni Update will be former Bruins player and coach and now Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personal with the Virden Oil Capitals Chad Leslie.