On a night to celebrate and honour the true heroes in our community, the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins' sent the fans home happy on 'First Responders Night' with a convincing 6-3 victory over the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

The two teams came into action on Thursday night streaking in opposite directions. Estevan having gained points in six straight games (5-0-1) and La Ronge winless in their last five (0-4-1).

However, the roles were reversed to start the game. Connor Smith scored halfway through the opening frame to put the Ice Wolves up 1-0 on Estevan. However, the Bruins' would even the score just before the intermission as Tyson Manz finished off a passing play for his first career SJHL goal from his twin brother Tanner to make it 1-1 after 20 minutes. 

Tyson Manz Scored His First SJHL Goal On Thursday.

La Ronge kept pressing to start the second period, with Shane Hounsell scoring to put the visitors up 2-1. Then, the Bruins' constant peppering of La Ronge's netminder Luke Lush started paying off with three straight goals to end the middle frame.

Just as a powerplay expired, Estevan product Kaelan Holt sniped top shelf to tie things up at 2-2. Just 24 seconds later, a point shot from Jake Heerspink was deflected in front and into the back of the net to give Estevan it's first lead of the night at 3-2.

The Ice Wolves would look to tie the game on a powerplay with three minutes remaining in the 2nd period, however it would be the SJHL's leading scorer Zach Goberis scoring on a gorgeous backhand deke through the five-hole to give Estevan a 4-2 lead heading into the final period.

The Bruins' would put the game out of reach in the first ten minutes of the 3rd period with two more markers. Goberis (13) got his second special teams' goal of the night on the powerplay, and Hayden Guilderson (7) scored his own powerplay marker just over a minute later to put Estevan up 6-2.

Connor Smith's second of the night rounded out the scoring with seven minutes remaining, however that wouldn't be the end of the action.

With five minutes remaining, a scrum broke out in front of the Estevan net and two sets of tussles ensued. Receiving a fighting major were Estevan's Matthew Chekay and La Ronge's Austin Shumanski, while Estevan's Isaac Embree and La Ronge's Drayton Thunderchief each received double-minors for roughing and 10-minute misconducts.

There would be a few more run-ins before the final buzzer, but in the end the Bruins' would gather around goaltender Max Sidelnik to celebrate a 6-3 victory.

"We got off to a bit of slow start and they kind of caught us off guard in the first period," expressed Tyson Manz, after being named the 'Hardest Worker Player' of the game. "But we were able to battle back and get the two points, that's all that matters."

"It felt good to get it out of the way," added Manz, when talking about scoring his first goal of the season and playing with his brother Tanner. "We've been playing together forever, so we find each other out there and it's pretty fun playing with him."

Estevan (9-2-1) continues to pace the Viterra Division with 19 points while La Ronge (1-8-1) remains in the SJHL's basement with 3 points.

The Bruins' are back in action against another member of the Sherwood Division on Sunday night, as the Flin Flon Bombers (5-3-3) visit Affinity Place at 6:00.

GAME NOTES

- Zach Goberis leads the league goals (13), points (25), powerplay goals (5), shorthanded goals (2), and tied for 1st with teammate Jake Fletcher and Melfort's Loch Morrison in game-winning goals (2).

- Estevan outshot La Ronge 53-22 on Thursday night.

- The Bruins' finished (2/7) on the powerplay, La Ronge (1/5).

- Goaltender Max Sidelnik is now (4-1) on the season in his first year with Estevan.

Captains Jake Fletcher (left) and Bryce Fiske (right) Take The Ceremonial Faceoff With First Responders From The Estevan RCMP, Estevan Police, Estevan EMS & Estevan Fire Rescue. (Photo: Durr Photography)