Hockey fans in the Midale area were treated to some junior hockey action Monday night.
The Estevan Bruins faced the Notre Dame Hounds at the Harry O Memorial Arena. More than 500 fans packed the rink to watch the teams battle as they continue to vie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
While the Bruins had the advantage of the crowd support, due to Midale’s proximity to Estevan, Notre Dame was the designated home team, and it was the Hounds who emerged victorious, as they doubled up the Bruins 6-3.
Troy Hamilton scored 83 seconds into the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead, but Jarrett Penner responded 73 seconds later on a power play to tie the game. It remained deadlocked at ones until late in the first, when Jake Dale scored to give the Hounds the lead; 78 seconds later, Jared Hamm scored on a power play for a 3-1 Notre Dame advantage.
Estevan rallied in the second with a pair of power play goals of their own. Kade McMillen’s goal 4:41 into the period pulled the Bruins to within one, and Devan Harrison scored six minutes later to tie the game.
The Hounds scored three times in the third, with Curtis Wiebe notching what proved to be the game-winner 6:17 into the third. Hardy Wagner and Joseph Santalucia scored less than three minutes apart to help the Hounds pull away.
Keenan Rancier made 35 saves in goal for the Bruins. Logan Dyck made 35 saves for the Hounds.
The loss dropped the Bruins record to 13-16-2-1. The Bruins sit 10th in the standings, three points behind ninth-place Notre Dame, and five back of eighth.
The Bruins will be back on the ice Saturday night when they host the Yorkton Terriers. Game time is at 7:30 p.m. It will be the Bruins final game before the Christmas break.
