The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins held on to their lead against the Yorkton Terriers this time.
Turner Ripplinger scored twice in the third period, including the game-winning goal 5:46 into the frame, in the Bruins 4-2 victory over the Terriers on Tuesday night at Affinity Place. Ripplinger also scored into an empty net with 2.4 seconds to play, moments after blocking a point shot and outracing a Yorkton defender for the puck.
Jack Michell and Michael McChesney also scored for Estevan in the win. Grant Boldt made 24 saves in the victory.
Ripplinger said they needed the win to stay relatively close to the Terriers in the standings.
“I think that’s the reason we came out with this. Our backs are against the wall here for that division title.”
Branden Klatt and Chantz Petruic scored for Yorkton. Riley Lamb stopped 27 shots for the Terriers.
Will Koop returned to the lineup for the Bruins and assisted on Ripplinger’s goal. Ripplinger said it was great to have Koop back.
“He’s an elite centreman in this league. He’s definitely going to be an asset for us,” said Ripplinger.
In the two previous meetings between the teams, the Terriers scored the tying goal late in the third period, and then notched the winning goal in extra time.
Ripplinger admitted that the way those games ended was in the back of their minds.
“They had a couple close ones. They hit the post with a couple of minutes left, but it’s a new year for us here, so we bared down and we wanted to get those two points for us.”
The Bruins (18-19-2-1) have 39 points, which leave them four points behind the Terriers (21-16-1) for first place in the division. The Terriers have two games in hand.
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