Another sizzling performance from the leading scorer in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has vaulted the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins closer to top spot in the league standings.

Zach Goberis buried a beautiful cross-crease pass from his all-star linemate Michael McChesney with three minutes to play, rounding out the scoring in an impressive 7-3 victory for the Bruins' over the Flin Flon Bombers on Sunday night at Affinity Place.

With the win, the Bruins' (10-2-1) join the Melfort Mustangs (10-1-2) as the lone two SJHL teams with ten wins, and sit alone atop the Viterra Division with 21 points.

Flin Flon (5-5-3) came into the game looking to salvage a rough road trip after losing their first three games. However, despite some tired legs, the Bombers were able to match the Bruins' stride for stride in the opening frame. But after 20 minutes, both the shot clock (8-8) and the scoreboard (0-0) were evened up.

That would change a minute into 2nd period with the Bruins' strong special teams' play continuing on Sunday night. While shorthanded, Matthew Chekay broke away from the pack, made a quick deke around Bombers' goaltender Niklas Anderson, and buried his 4th of the year to put Estevan up 1-0. Just three minutes later, Goberis picked up the puck at his blue line and raced down the ice all alone, finishing with a beautiful backhand top shelf to make it 2-0.

The Bombers bounced back to even the score halfway through the period, with both Nick Shumlanski and Ben Lanfermann scoring powerplay goals to make it 2-2 with nine minutes to play in the middle frame.

Estevan would show its' resolve though shortly thereafter as just a minute after the game was tied, the Manz brothers would strike. Tanner forced a turnover behind the net and fed brother Tyson for his second goal in as many games to put Estevan up 3-2. In the final three minutes, Jake Fletcher and Goberis' second of the game rounded out a high-scoring 2nd period to make it 5-2 after 40 minutes.

The Bruins' wouldn't allow Flin Flon back into the game in the final frame, as Kaelan Holt scored two minutes in to make it 6-2 Estevan. Flin Flon's Nate Hooper would score with seven minutes to play to make it 6-3, which would be followed by the first and only fight of the game between the Bruins' TJ Irey and Bombers' Ethan Daniels. 

Goberis Celebrates With His Teammates After Scoring His 3rd Goal.

In the final three minutes, the crowd began buzzing with Goberis' on the brink of scoring his second hat trick of the season. The goal would also trigger a promotion in the stands, where a section of fans would be awarded a free pizza from The Tower Cafe. After Goberis fired a shot off the post, he would finally get the final goal on his next shift for his third goal of the night and league-leading 16th goal of the year.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins' gathered around goaltender Matt Lukacs to celebrate their 5th win in five games at Affinity Place with a 7-3 victory over Flin Flon.

"We knew that the Bombers were going to try and make this the best game of their road trip because they lost the first three," stated Goberis following the win. "We knew that we had to start strong and continue that pressure so they would have no hope in the game as it went on."

Goberis and McChesney are easily the top scoring duo in the SJHL with a combined 51 points in 13 games.

"We've been playing together for the past year and a half, and it's really fun playing with that type of player," spoke Goberis on McChesney. "He's so skillful, so smart, so fast...he just makes my game so much easier out there."

The third-year forward admitted afterwards that the team was looking for him late to get the hat trick, and to give away some Tower Pizza to the Bruins' fans.

"That felt good, I know 'Chez (McChesney) was looking for me the whole time out there, and it was nice to get it on one of our last shifts," added Goberis.

The Bruins' will have the week off before hosting a pair of home game this upcoming weekend. The Nipawin Hawks (6-1-2) visit Affinity Place on Friday night, before the Bruins' host the Yorkton Terriers (2-8-2) on Saturday night. Both games start at 7:30.

GAME NOTES

- Estevan finished (1/6) on the powerplay, Flin Flon finished (2/8).

- There are currently 5 Estevan Bruins in the top 10 of SJHL scoring (1st - Goberis (16-12-28), 2nd - McChesney (11-12-23), 4th - Fletcher (6-11-17), T-5th - Guilderson (7-9-16), T-7th - Holt (5-10-15))

- The Bruins' are 7-0-1 in their last eight games.