The Estevan Bruins faced perhaps their toughest opponent of the year so far and responded with their best effort to date. They were rewarded with a 5-1 win over the Melfort Mustangs on Friday, October 19.

The Bruins got goals from five different players, and rookie goalie Grant Boldt turned aside 23 of 24 shots he faced in his first SJHL win. Mustangs goalie Hunter Arps surrendered four goals on 33 shots with another coming into an empty net.

"It feels really good," said Boldt of his first win. "Happy to get a win with the guys, it was a great effort today too."

Boldt was tested early as the Mustangs had by far their best period in the first. They mustered 11 of their 24 shots in that opening frame, beating Boldt once for their only goal. A scrambly clearing attempt by the Bruins found the stick of Jake Hobson, who fired it towards the net, creating a rebound the Mustangs got several swipes at before Tanner Zentner snuck it home.

Boldt locked down the net after that, however, and the Bruins offense went to work. Bryce Platt started the scoring, electing to hold the puck on a 2-on-1 and ripping it under the bar for his second as a Bruin.

Then, on the power play, the Bruins worked the puck around the top of the umbrella before hitting Jake Heerspink at the left circle, who fired one inside the far post for his second of the year. Before the second period was out, Jayden Davis had added another, winning a battle down low with Isaiah Thomas's help and shelfing a shot from in close.

The Bruins allowed the Mustangs just eight shots in the second and only five in the third while pouring pucks in on Arps. The Bruins generated three breakaways and several partial breaks with their speed.

"This was easily our best effort," said Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood. "It's also the expectation of our team. It's no secret we've got a good hockey club here and it's just a matter of stringing things together. I thought tonight we were pretty good through 60 minutes."

The Bruins extended their lead on a perfect passing play in the third between Platt, Turner Ripplinger, and TJ Irey. Ripplinger drew defenders to him before feeding the puck to Platt. This time, rather than shoot, Platt hit Irey with a backdoor feed the 19-year-old made no mistake on. 

By the time Thomas salted the game away with an empty netter, the Bruins had exerted full control, allowing the Mustangs virtually nothing in the offensive zone, and hounding them on the forecheck. 

"It was just the consistency throughout the game plan," said Lewgood. "All the details were good. I think we've been in good in several areas many nights but missed one and that's what can cost you the game sometimes. Tonight was a matter of tying it all together."

The Bruins now face the Nipawin Hawks on Saturday night at Affinity Place. Puck drop is 7:30 PM. 

GAME NOTES

Jake Heerspink's goal was his first since opening night in Melville. He added an assist and has ammased five points in his last three games.

Turner Ripplinger's two assists give him 13 on the year for the team lead. He sits tied for fourth in the SJHL in that category.

Grant Boldt's night was the best statistical outing for a Bruins goalie all season. He is the second netminder to allow just one goal, with Jake Anthony allowing only one in the 7-1 win over La Ronge on October 13, but he faced more shots (24 to Anthony's 18).

Michael McChesney served the final game of four games worth of suspensions stemming from two different hits in the game on October 6 against Humboldt. He is eligible to return Saturday against Nipawin.