The Estevan Bruins gave the defending Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) champions all they could handle Saturday night, but ultimately came up short in a 3-1 loss to the Battlefords North Stars in North Battleford.
Battlefords led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Hunter Rambow early in the first. Troy Hamilton scored the Bruins lone goal early in the second period to tie the game. It was the first goal in the SJHL for the rookie forward.
The game remained tied until the midway point in the third, when Austin Becker tallied for the Battlefords. Dylan Esau rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal with 71 seconds to play.
Keenan Rancier made 44 saves for the Bruins, including 19 in the first period. Adam Dmyterko stopped 35 shots for the North Stars.
The Bruins have the day off, and then they will have their games at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Showcase in Warman. They will play the Humboldt Broncos on Monday and the Kindersley Klippers on Tuesday.
