When two members of their top line weren’t on the team as of a week ago (Tristyn DeRoose and Bryce Platt) and another two of their top offensive players this year are on the shelf with an injury (TJ Irey) and a suspension (Michael McChesney), it’s little wonder when the chemistry and timing wasn’t quite there for the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins.
The Bruins (4-6-0-0) lacked the necessary chemistry between each other and lost 2-1 Wednesday night to the La Ronge Ice Wolves (3-6-0-0), a team earning their first win on the road this year and their first win in Estevan since Dec. 12, 2014.
The Ice Wolves opened the scoring in the second period when Jordan Mish scored on a delayed penalty and held that lead until the latter stages of the third period. Bryce Platt scored his first goal as a Bruin on a wristshot that bulged the twine behind La Ronge’s Chad Duran. But with 2:58 left on the clock in the third period, Max Kleiner jumped on a puck in front of Bruins goaltender Grant Boldt and the Bruins had no magic in the remainder of the game to try to come back and win.
Estevan won the battle in shots 33-23 but had little success converting good-looking goal opportunities into goals, in part because the offensive timing wasn't quite right.
The Bruins next action is Saturday at Affinity Place at 7:30 p.m. against the Ice Wolves.
