The Estevan Bruins hadn’t lost a game in Kindersley in over a year as of September 27, and that streak continued as they ended a two-game losing skid, beating the Klippers 4-2. Estevan avenged their loss from earlier in the week to move to 4-2 on the year.

The Bruins endured a tough first period in which they gave up two power play goals to Tyler Traptow and Kyle Bosch before storming back in the final half of the game. Michael McChesney scored twice and TJ Irey and Jack Michell also scored in the win. Jake Anthony stopped 28 of 30 shots for his best statistical performance in Estevan. 

Traptow started the scoring at 7:13 of the first period with a quick wrister from the top of the left circle, snapping it past Anthony for his second of the year. Five minutes later, Bosh banged away at a rebound after Anthony made two strong initial saves, finally squeaking it past the beleaguered Bruins netminder. 

It took until midway through the second for Estevan’s offense to finally come uncorked as TJ Irey outmuscled Brandon Borbley on the fore-check and fed McChesney in the slot. McChesney rifled a shot past Zach Johnson to get the Bruins on the board. 

Irey’s second period scoring was just beginning. He broke into the offensive zone up the left side and just a couple of steps inside the blueline let a wrist shot of his own go. He beat Johnson in nearly the same spot to the glove side as McChesney to tie the game.

McChesney practically willed the Bruins to a lead they never gave up early in the third period. Off an offensive zone forward, the 20-year-old forward pushed the puck to himself off the face off, stepped toward the goal before any of the Klippers could react, and shelved a backhand on Johnson.

For insurance sake, Michell joined the attack late in the third to make a 2-on-2 into a 3-on-2 as the late man. Turner Ripplinger spotted Michell creeping in and the young defensemen snuck a shot between the legs of Johnson to round out the scoring.

Estevan moves to 4-2 on the young season with the win, while the Klippers loss drops them to the same record. Estevan carries their newfound momentum into Battlefords for a game against the North Stars on Friday night. Tune in to that game on Rock 106.

GAME NOTES

Turner Ripplinger’s two assists give him 13 points on the year, while Irey’s goal and assist give him 14. They sit first and second in SJHL scoring through six games. 

Johnny Witzke maintains his hold on the lead in defensive scoring with 9 points in 6 games. Jack Michell is now sixth in scoring by all defensemen with 5 points in 5 games. He is also third in scoring among all rookies.

Jake Anthony posted his best statistical game as a Bruin, allowing just 2 goals on 30 shots in the victory. It was his third win of the year. 

The Estevan Bruins have not lost in Kindersley since September 22 of 2017 when they fell 7-5. Since then they have won 3-2 in a shootout, 5-0 in regulation and 3-2 in regulation, the last two of which came in the playoffs.