The Estevan Bruins left it all on the line on April 24, and although they gave it their all, it wasn’t quite enough.

The Bruins surrendered a 5-on-3 goal in the third period and an even strength goal in the first, and that was all it took as Estevan fell 2-1 in game seven of the SJHL finals to the Nipawin Hawks.

In a series in which the two teams were separated by just one goal through seven games, it was fitting that game seven was so close. The two teams were nearly perfectly evenly matched through the first period, right down to the shots on goal, but it was Carter Doerksen of Nipawin who scored the period’s only goal at even strength. Off strong cycle work by the Hawks, Doerksen fired a shot through traffic that eluded Bo Didur at 14:47 of the first to open the scoring.

The Bruins and Hawks continued to play an even game through the second period until Bruins captain Jake Fletcher fired a shot that pinballed through traffic and fooled Declan Hobbs to make it a one-all game. The goal came at 12:53 of the second period, and it energized the Bruins, who outshot the Hawks in the period after the goal.

The Hawks broke the Bruins hearts, however, on a 5-on-3 goal at 8:04 of the third. With Michael McChesney off for high-sticking and Tyson Manz off for boarding (both penalties drawn by Hawks forward Brandan Arnold incidentally) Josh McDougal took a pass from Grant Baetsen at the top of the left circle and one-timed it past Didur for a lead the Hawks would never relinquish.

Though the Bruins killed the remaining minor, and despite a late press from a desperate Estevan squad, the Hawks were not to be denied, and they shut the door late to hold on for a 2-1 win. Estevan fell in their first finals series since 1999, and the Hawks advance to the Anavet Cup.

Nipawin celebrates on home ice after a hard fought series came down to the wire in the SJHL final.

GAME NOTES

Kaelan Holt’s assist on the Fletcher goal left him as the playoff’s leading scorer. He finished with 22 points in 16 games, one ahead of Brandan Arnold for the league lead.

Jake Fletcher scored his 11th goal of the playoffs, the only Bruins tally of the game. His 11 goals led the playoffs and capped off a three-year SJHL career with the Bruins.

Bo Didur made 32 saves on 34 shots to finish with a 2.35 GAA and a .930 save percentage in his last junior hockey season. He finished as the only goalie to shut out the Nipawin Hawks all season long after his game six victory by a 4-0 count.