After dropping game one against the Humboldt Broncos by a 4-1 count the previous night, the Estevan Bruins put forth a much more complete effort on Saturday, March 16. Their effort was rewarded and the fans went home happy as they tied the series at one game apiece after a 4-2 win.

Jayden Davis scored twice and Grant Boldt turned aside 27 of 29 shots in the victory. Rayce Ramsay stopped 36 of 39 shots, while Mitch Zambon and Owen Guenter replied for Humboldt.

HIGHLIGHTS:

"There's some adversity and times where you get hemmed in, stuck playing defensive zone hockey against a good team like this," said Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood, "but I thought for the most part our group was solid from top to bottom." 

The Bruins controlled much of the play in the early going, as they did the night before, but this time it was the Broncos who struck first. After a shot from the point pinballed around in the Bruins crease, Boldt juggled it and made two good saves in tight before Guenter slapped it past him. 

A penalty kill to start the second period could've been disastrous for the Bruins but instead the roll reversal continued as the Bruins struck just seven seconds into the middle frame. Davis took the puck right off the faceoff and exploded in between the Broncos defenders before threading a shot through Ramsay's five-hole.

The Bruins turned up the pressure, earning a 5-on-3 advantage on which they were unable to score. Back at even strength, however, the line of Isaiah Thomas, Ryder Pierson, and Eddie Gallagher went to work on the cylce, with Gallagher potting his first of the playoffs as Pierson threw the puck into the crease.

Early in the second, a reinvigorated Broncos team stormed out of the gate and tied the score when Mitch Zambon found himself alone in the slot and fired one over Boldt's trapper. The Bruins knuckled down and regained the lead however, as Jake Heerspink crashed the crease and tucked home the game winning goal off a scramble.

"The message came from the guys," Lewgood said. "It was that we're on our heels but let's get back to doing what we do. As coaches, we didn't have to say a whole lot. We were ready to and we had a plan in place, but up and down the bench you could hear the same message being delivered and it speaks to the maturity of the group."

A late push by the Broncos wasn't enough as Devan Harrison cleared the puck off the glass with just the right touch to give Davis time to race up to it. Davis sped past Josh Patrician and tucked home his second into the empty net, giving the Bruins all the breathing room they'd need.

The win by the Bruins ties the series at one game each. Game three takes place on Monday, March 18 in Humboldt. Catch the game on Rock 106.

GAME NOTES

Jayden Davis's two goals tie his total from the postseason last year. His shorthanded goal was his fifth of 2018-19, counting the regular season.

Turner Ripplinger leads the Bruins with three assists. He had the most assists of any Bruin in the regular season with 33.

Rayce Ramsay stopped 65 of 69 shots he faced in two games at Affinity Place. He posted a .923 save percentage in the regular season.