They hammered shots at the net rapid fire in the first two periods to build a lead, then withstood a barrage in the third.
That was how the Estevan TS&M Bruins played their way to a 5-1 victory over the Battlefords Barons on Saturday at Affinity Place.
The shots on goal were 42-31 for the Bruins, and that included a 35-14 edge in the first two periods before the Barons came on in the third.
The Bruins (7-6) are now tied for third place in the South Division of the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League, although the Prairie Storm (6-0-1) are one point behind with six games in hand.
The Bruins' top line of Cole Fonstad, Ryder Pierson and Mason Strutt led the way on Saturday, combining for eight points.
Fonstad opened the scoring barely four minutes into the game, poking the puck in after driving the net.
Battlefords struck back at the 7:40 mark on a goal by Ty Mosimann on a similar play.
Strutt's first of two goals on the day, scored on a power play, came with three minutes left in the period on a wraparound.
The Bruins scored the only goal of the second period, courtesy of Pierson on a power play at the 11-minute mark, to take a 3-1 lead. Pierson tipped in a shot by Trey Stocker.
The hosts' two-goal lead held throughout the third period, despite the Bruins being outshot 17-7 in the frame, until the final minute of regulation. Then, empty netters by Strutt and J.D. Gervais put the game out of reach.
The Bruins went 2-for-7 on the power play, while Battlefords was 0-for-3.
Estevan is back in action on the weekend. On Friday, they visit the Storm. On Saturday, they play the first-place Yorkton Terriers in what is technically a home game, but is being played in Arcola.
